3 Simple Ways to Grow Your Microbiome

Just as a thriving garden depends on the right mix of plants, a healthy gut hinges on a good balance of bacteria. Nurture your "gut garden" with these 3 simple rules:

#1)  GO PRO

Probiotics, such as kimchi, yogurt with live active cultures, fresh sauerkraut and tempeh, provide the gut with beneficial bacteria. Not all bacteria survive the trip through the stomach, but those that make it settle in the gut or exert positive effects as they pass through. 

#2) FEED GOOD BUGS

Prebiotics encourage the growth of the right bacteria in your gut. If taking PRObiotics is like planting what you want in your garden, eating PREbiotics is like fertilizing them. Prebiotics contain fibers that don't digest all the way, so they leave leftovers for the gut bacteria to eat or "ferment." They also help keep things moving in our gut, which is important for maintaining a healthy gut community. Prebiotic-rich foods include Jerusalem artichokes, onions, garlic, asparagus, chicory and bananas. 

#3) STARVE BAD GUYS

Think of the bad bugs in your system as weeds to thin out. Research shows too much sugar and saturated fat feed the bacteria associated with obesity, diabetes, and even neurological issues, so avoid overdoing it on junk food.

Article courtesy of Eating Well.