Contents
How to improve the health of your gut flora
What are probiotics for?
Probiotics are live microorganisms found in our gut. In recent years, The popularity of supplements containing probiotics has increased, as the media has echoed that the composition of intestinal flora (microbiota), the type of bacteria that inhabit it, is related to numerous diseases, including gastritis, intestinal diseases, autoimmune diseases, migraines, depression, obesity, and diabetes.
Is it recommended to take probiotic supplements?
Probiotic supplements are products containing live microorganisms that, when taken in certain quantities, have been shown to improve the composition of the microbiota or intestinal flora and provide health benefits.
There are many types of probiotics on the market, some more appropriate for certain health conditions, but to find the right product, medical advice and evaluation are always recommended. In addition, there are also other considerations to keep in mind.
What is more important than taking probiotics to maintain a healthy gut flora?
Before considering taking probiotics, you need to make sure your diet and lifestyle are correct. No probiotic will have any effect if your diet is unhealthy.
Probiotic supplements are “the seed” of microorganisms, but to feed these microbes, your diet must be rich in fibers that nourish them, which are called prebiotics. Not all fiber is prebiotic, and you should choose the one with the greatest fermentative power (greatest prebiotic power).
In addition, it is also necessary that the intestinal wall, the intestinal mucosa where these microorganisms grow, is in perfect condition.
Steps to follow before taking probiotics
Before taking probiotics, it is recommended to perform all the steps aimed at improving intestinal health and allowing for good bacterial colonization:
- Avoid tobacco and alcohol
- Avoid a sedentary lifestyle
- Avoid junk food
- Eat a lot of carrots or foods rich in beta-carotene to restore the digestive mucosa and give bacteria a good nest to colonize: carrot puree, grated carrot salad with lemon, pumpkin cream, roasted sweet potatoes, etc.
- Introduce powerful prebiotics into your diet, such as retrograded starch (resistant starch) or pectin (baked apple, fruit compote, etc.).
- Introduce foods with probiotics such as sauerkraut, kefir, yogurt, kombucha or water kefir
- If your diet lacks good fermentative fiber, probiotics are ineffective. Therefore, it’s recommended to start with the diet.
More information on vegetarianism
