#61-PREBIOTICS AND PROBIOTICS

PREBIOTICS AND PROBIOTICS

Hey everyone!

When I was in India, I got sick and had to see an Ayurvedic doctor. One of the first questions he asked me was, “How do you have a bowel movement? »

I was a little shocked and very embarrassed. How are we supposed to answer this question?! No Western doctor is interested in the physiognomy of the human body as a whole. Talking about your intestinal activity is an absolute taboo.

It was only once very ill with recurrent pericarditis that I heard about the microbiota. An essential player in the immune system, it suddenly became the center of great interest.

The intestinal microbiota is home to more than 100,000 billion bacteria which constitute a stable ecosystem living in symbiosis with its host. Probiotics can interact in a beneficial way with the body and the microbiota (without modifying it in the long term). Prebiotics, on the other hand, are the food for these “good” bacteria. Unlike probiotics, prebiotics are not living microorganisms. It is a variety of non-soluble fibers that serve as food for the lactic ferments of the microbiota.

Prebiotics promote the growth of bacteria and allow them to perform their health-promoting functions more effectively.

It is especially with the help of a nutritionist that I was able to integrate enough prebiotics into my diet. Little by little, my microbiota is rebalancing.

We often talk about having a balanced and diversified diet, but that is not enough if you really want to work on your microbiota to improve immune functions.

For this purpose, here are the foods I prefer: endives, bananas, cabbage, onions, garlic, leeks, plantains, yacons, asparagus.

They are among the foods of plant origin that contain prebiotics such as fructo-oligosaccharides and inulin. You will find a lot of information on the internet.

As for probiotics (the good bacteria), they are found in food supplements and in certain foods.

I have tried many probiotic supplements which are usually combinations of several strains. My favorites are Flora Balance Dry and Labotix MB from Natural Energy, and also Bacilac Forte from Vésale Pharma to strengthen the respiratory system.

Lactobacillus Brevis might help the body break down food, absorb nutrients, and fight off "bad" organisms that might cause diseases. I therefore find it interesting to take it alternately with other strains.

I also favor foods that contain probiotics (products of fermentation): miso soup, sauerkraut, coconut yogurt, unpasteurized cider vinegar, kimshi, fermented vegetables, pu-erh tea.

By promoting healthy gut microbiota, prebiotics and probiotics help boost the immune system and fight inflammatory diseases. They are part of the soft therapies that I use.

And don't forget: nothing prevents you from combining healthy food and yummy food!!

EAT WELL AND ENJOY.

Pericordially yours,

Vali