Most people have at least heard of probiotics, living creatures that can be taken as supplements to support he microbiome, the hundreds of trillions of bacteria that live in the human intestine. Unfortunately, many people who take probiotic supplements, disappointingly, don’t get the effects that they are looking for.
If this sounds familiar, it may have something to do with your diet. As it turns out, every mouth full of food we ingest effects the health of the functionality of the microbiome and, if we don’t pay attention to what we eat, we may not be able to enjoy maximum benefits from the probiotics we take.
Preservatives and tap water can kill bacteria, while too much meat protein can induce the production of bacterial toxins. On the other hand, the most important foods for supporting a healthy microbiome are fruits and veggies. That’s because of the fiber they contain, which, while inert on its own, acts as a substrate or food source for intestinal and supplemental microbes, and can increase the activity of native bacteria and as well as induce their proliferation.
These bacteria, in turn, support digestion, the health of the brain, heart and have and appetite suppressant property that can initiate weight loss. Of course fiber on its own has intestinal health benefits too, improving motility, nutrition and the elimination of wastes through the bowels, making the combination of fresh produce and probiotic supplements a powerful “one two punch” for reducing obesity and improving digestive as well as cardiovascular and brain wellness.
