How much do you know about prebiotics? Not to be confused with probiotics, mind you. Probiotics are actual living organisms that are found in foods like yogurt with live cultures, kefir, and sauerkraut that hasn’t been pasteurized.

Prebiotics on the other hand are compounds found in food that serve as food and promote the growth of microorganisms including those in your gut. In the context of improving your microbiome, they are foods you eat to help encourage the growth of beneficial bacteria throughout your digestive tract.

Prebiotics are mainly different types of plant fiber since this is the preferred diet of the bacteria and fungi living in your gut. Those organisms consume the fiber, using it to multiply and even providing the body with beneficial byproducts like vitamin B12 for example. Continue reading →

Antibiotics are one of the great medical miracles of the 20th century. They save lives daily and keep us from suffering needlessly from a wide range of infections. But like with so many other things, there is a price we pay when we take them.

No, this isn’t about breeding super bugs though that’s certainly one of the issues. The problem I want to address today is the unintended damage antibiotics do to the microbiome.

Your microbiome is made up of various bacteria with a few fungi and other microorganisms thrown in for good measure. The bacteria are the problem when it comes to taking antibiotics.

While the medication does a great job fighting your infection and getting you back to feeling like yourself, it also destroys some of the good bacteria in your gut. That in turn gives other, less beneficial bacteria a chance to take over. It’s why we often feel bad and have stomach issues while taking antibiotics. Continue reading →