Pre, Post, & Probiotics

It is amazing to see and feel the correlation between the gut and the mind. If you eat too much junk food, you may feel lethargic, slower mentally, and mood swings. Junk food also shrinks the brain's learning capabilities and reduces neuroplasticity. In contrast, when you hydrate with water and practice healthy eating habits, you may notice that your mind is more clear, you may feel more energetic, and balanced in your moods. Along the gut-brain axis, there is a complex network of nerves, hormones, and the immune system that flow along the ENS (Enteric Nervous System). The ENS communicates with the brain through your vagus nerve which, in turn, helps to regulate mood and stress. So, if you're struggling to eat well, learning the role of pre, post, & pro-biotics may be a good place to start!

We have all heard of probiotics and you may even take them as supplements. Probiotics are usually called the "good bacteria" because they help crowd out harmful pathogens and facilitate neurotransmitter production. When you get enough "good bacteria", or probiotics, you help increase the population of beneficial microorganisms in your gut. In turn, this helps you to fight off disease and infections, as well as improve nutrient absorption and gut health.

You can get probiotics through foods such as: plain yogurt, kefir, cottage cheese, kombucha, certain types of honey, and sauerkraut - just to name a few.

Prebiotics are a compliment to probiotics. Prebiotics are non-digestible fibers that your body cannot digest on its own but ... they serve as a food source for the probiotics! So when you eat prebiotics you are giving your colony of good bacteria (the probiotics) food! In short, eating the prebiotics feeds the probiotics. This can help your gut to rebalance as they work together to make sure you function, think, and operate properly. Prebiotics are a type of fiber found naturally in certain foods such as: Jerusalem artichokes, asparagus, garlic, leeks, onions, apples, lentils, bananas, seaweed, and chia seeds.

So we've learnt about the pre and probiotics - where do the postbiotics fit in? Well, once the prebiotics are in your system, the probiotics "eat" them, then the waste that's left behind are the postbiotics. In other words, postbiotics are what the pre and probiotics produce. The benefits of this incredible system are a boost to the immune system, helping to treat IBS and other gastrointestinal disorders, helps to boost the immune system, and so much more. To increase the postbiotics in your body, consider boosting the pre and probiotics that you eat, since postbiotics are the result of these.

In conclusion, being able to age gracefully, nourish your skin naturally, and have clear mental clarity is something many of us aspire to. Feeling centered in your energy, navigating whatever triggers come up successfully, and your happiness may all be deeply interlinked to your microbiome and the gut-brain axis. In practicing daily healthy habits, you can see what works for you along your wellness journey.

And remember that while our blog is meant for informational purposes only, you may want to consult with your healthcare professional before taking pre, post, and/or probiotics, especially if you have any underlying health conditions. As always, I am wishing you great peace and clarity along our journey together!