The latest health craze is Prebiotics and Probiotics. These days you can walk into any grocery store and you’re bombarded with a bunch of products that promise to fill your gut with “good” bacteria. But not many people actually understand what pre & probiotics are, the difference between the two, why they are necessary, where to get them from and why quality matters! Let’s dive in a little…

What are Prebiotics?

Prebiotics are a non-digestible food ingredient that promotes the growth of beneficial microorganisms in the intestines. Prebiotics are non-living, non-digestible forms of fiber or carbs. 

They assist in creating an optimal feeding ground for your good gut bacteria to flourish. They are fuel for your probiotics, they can survive heat, cold & stomach acid.

What are Probiotics?

Probiotics are live microorganisms which, when administered in adequate amounts, confer a health benefit on the host. Probiotics are live, active microorganisms that fight harmful bacteria in the gut. They are vulnerable to heat & stomach acid. 

Probiotics can: 

• Regulate metabolism
• Synthesize vitamins
• Suppress inflammation
• Neutralize pathogens
• Improve immunity

The difference between Pre & Probiotics:

Prebiotics and probiotics both support the body in building and maintaining a healthy colony of bacteria and other microorganisms, which supports the gut and aids digestion. The biggest difference is that probiotics contain live microorganisms.

Why quality really matters.

Did you know that the majority of our microbiome actually lives in our colon? Therefore, for probiotics to have the most impact they need to survive all the way through the long journey of the GI tract and down to our colon. That means they need to survive from the manufacturer to your home, then from your mouth, past stomach acid, through your small and large intestines, over the river and through the woods, to grandmother’s house, we go! But in this case, grandmother’s house is our colon.  That is quite the journey. These probiotics need to be protected during this treck or they will never make it to the colon, and if they don’t make it to the colon, they’re pretty useless.

Why are Pre & Probiotics important?

Pre and Probiotics both support the body in building and maintaining a strong and healthy army of bacteria and other microorganisms, which support the gut and aid in digestion.

There are many natural sources of both Pre and Probiotics, here are a few;

Prebiotics:

• Bananas
• Apples
• Leeks
• Oats
• Onions

Probiotics:

• Yogurt
• Kimchi
• Kombucha
• Kefir
• Sauerkraut

However, to make your life easier and to ensure you are getting QUALITY Pre & Probiotics, I have extensively researched and paired up with some brilliant companies that I have personally vetted, as I only work with companies whose values align with my own and whose products are top quality. 

We want to be sure we’re feeding our probiotics with quality PRE-biotics. I like to hit the easy button here, and enjoy Organifi ‘Pure’. It not only contains prebiotic powder, but it also has other digestive supportive elements like Apple Cider Vinegar to support stomach acid and specific digestive enzymes like protease, amylase, and lipase to help break down protein, starch, and fat.  I really like the Travel Packs as they’re easy to throw in my purse for access throughout the day! Be sure to use the code ‘GUTHEALTH15’ for a 15% discount at checkout.

As mentioned, the quality of our probiotics is very important. I’ve done extensive research and was even required to go through a course with Seed Probiotics to be sure that anyone affiliated with them is sharing science, and not BS, when it comes to gut health.

Seed Daily Synbiotic is both a Pre & Probiotic. Seed uses 2-in-1 capsule technology that is resistant to stomach degradation, heat, light & moisture.

Seed Daily Synbiotic is:

• Diary free
• Gluten free
• Allergen free
• Vegan

It’s the perfect marriage to your nutrient-dense diet, and I’m sure you will be happy knowing that your money isn’t being wasted on expensive poop! 😀  Use code CHC15 for 15% off of your first order.