Should we supplement with probiotics

I was having a chat with one of my clients today about gut health because one of her family members is experiencing a serious illness in the bowel and it inspired me to write this blog about pre and  probiotics.

Probiotics are a fairly new and uncertain grey area amongst our modern healthy choice alternatives because the bacteria is often unreliable. We purchase expensive probiotic supplements expecting them to work only to find that we are told by the GP, a dietician or nutritionist that we are probably suffering some gut imbalance because the bacteria in the product has died. This product problem can be caused by storage issues or it could simply mean that you have purchased a bad batch of a probiotic supplement which you have blindly been happily taking without the knowledge that they have died or become ineffective. The Raw product is the best you will find on the market.  https://www.maggicclean.com.au/online-shop/AMAZONIA-Pre-probiotics-Over-13-Organic-Living-Strains-p127546366

Having said that you can be sure that everyone is thinking, what am I supposed to take? How am I supposed to balance my gut?

A balanced gut is actually a bit of a ruse to be honest and I think you will find that most sensible people are eating wholefoods and ferments to keep up a natural bacterial balance in their gut and guess what; they are probably having the odd problem anyway. The key is to keep an eye on the daily balance of your gut and adjust according to how you feel. Some of the following whole foods may help to bring some balance and relief to your symptoms.

Here is a list of natural wholefood Probiotics;

1.Sauerkraut

2.Kimchi 

3.Kefir

4.Kombucha 

5.Miso

6. Tempeh

7. Yoghurt

Here is a list of natural wholefood Prebiotics;

1. Chicory

2. Jerusalem artichokes

3. Garlic

4. Onions, shallots, and spring onions

5. Leeks

6. Savoy cabbage

7. Chickpeas

8. Lentils

9. Red kidney beans, baked beans, and soybeans

10. Bananas

11. Custard apples

12. Watermelon

13. Grapefruit

14. Bran

15. Barley

16. Oats

17. Almonds

18. Pistachio nuts

19. Flaxseeds

There are also some benefits to drinking apple cider vinegar for improved digestion too.

The benefits of apple cider vinegar are that it;

1.Supplies enzymes & potassium

2.Support a healthy immune system 

3.Helps control weigh

4.Promotes digestion & ph balanceonions

5.Helps soothe dry throats

6. Helps remove body sludge toxins

An ill gut can be a painful experience and can often become intolerable for someone with serious or severe symptoms. These types of painful gut issues are often caused by deeper problems like food intolerances, allergies or medicines. See your doctor if pain persists and the above foods are not helping.

Conclusion

Keep trying to balance your gut which I don't think is possible or just enjoy some daily ferments, yoghurt and bananas along with the odd apple cider vinegar and you will hopefully just enjoy eating the wholefoods and endure less supplementing with unreliable bacteria. See your doctor if you are experiencing more serious symptoms like painful bowel movements and blood in the faeces.