Probiotic PB8

 Another thing that I changed during my virus was my probiotic. Not all probiotics are the same. There are many different strains of the probiotics. Each of these strains affect people differently. We all have our personal microbial community.

I had used PB8 before but not sure why I changed. I had always had good results from this brand. It is actually a bit cheaper too, which did not make it less effective. There are no gluten or corn ingredients.

It may be wise to try different brands to see which one is right for you. It also helps to eat yogurt and eat gut friendly prebiotics that feed the good bacteria in our gut. These prebiotics include sauerkraut, kimchi as well as gluten free grains such as whole grain oats, fruits and vegetables. These foods feed the good bacteria and allow them to thrive.

Eat the Rainbow

We all know the importance of eating lots of fruits and vegetables every day. They provide an abundance of phytonutrients along with fiber. They are low fat and full of flavor. They can be used in tons of recipes. Each color provides a different combination of nutrients, vitamins and minerals. 

In order to keep a healthy gut it is important to get both soluble and insoluble fibers. Soluble fibers can dissolve in water and are found in such things as apples, citrus fruits and bananas as well as oats, beans and rice. Insoluble fibers can not be dissolved in water and are not broken down by the intestines. They can be found in root vegetables such as carrots as well as cucumber, celery and edible seeds such as berries. 

Soluble fiber breaks down in the intestinal tract and is used for food to feed the healthy bacteria that lives there. These healthy bacteria keep our gut in balance and keep down any inflammation. This type of fiber is also responsible for lowering cholesterol. 

Insoluble fiber cannot be digested or absorbed. It pushes things along the intestinal track and prevents constipation. Some of it may be broken down by healthy bacteria. 

The more variation the better. Try to eat the rainbow, different colors of fruit and vegetables throughout the day. 

Of course the above picture shows corn as a healthy choice. I do not recommend eating corn in any form. This is how I was able to get my Crohn's under control.

Probiotics and Prebiotics

Most people are somewhat familiar with probiotics. They are the "good" bacteria that live in our intestines, helping with digestion, maintaining a nice balance, and keeping down inflammation.  They are found in foods such as yogurt, kefir, sauerkraut and miso. They are also available in supplement form.

But what are Prebiotics? Prebiotics are food for the probiotics. They are fibers which are digested and eaten by the probiotics. Prebiotics keep our probiotic community healthy and happy. Prebiotics are found in fruits, vegetables and whole grains. These foods contain fibers such as inulin, mucilage and olioogsaccharides. We can not digest these fibers; they are insoluble fibers. But the probiotic colony can digest them and do thrive on them.

The best sources of these prebiotic fibers are found in foods such as apples, bananas, asparagus, garlic, onion, chicory root, flaxseed, seaweed, dandelion greens and leeks. They are also found in whole wheat, barley and oats. However I do not eat these since they also contain gluten. Prebiotics are also now available in supplement form.

Another prebiotic source that many people are familiar with is psyllium seed. This is the main ingredient in Metamucil. This fiber is great for constipation because it gets things moving. But it also supports and feeds the good bacteria. So in the Long run it can help balance things in the colon.

Prebiotics are also found in breast milk! Specifically, oligosaccharide. This prebiotic is now added to some baby formulas. This is nature's way of starting us off with a healthy gut.

It is also well studied, that a healthy gut environment supports a healthy immune system, lowers cholesterol and balances out blood sugar. So the take away here is to make sure to get enough of both probiotics and Prebiotics.