Here are 10 ways to naturally increase the good bacteria in your gut. 💡
In addition to eating fermented foods, supplementing with a science-backed probiotic can also elevate your gut microbiome.* Probiotic supplements contain live bacteria that get deposited in your small intestine where they can colonize and grow, boosting your overall number of good bacteria and a host of GI functions.*
There are a lot of probiotic supplements out there, but you need to find one that actually works. Pedre recommends selecting a probiotic that has and 5 to 100 billion colony-forming units per dose. To be clear, more isn't more necessarily. The dose of each strain should be informed by clinical science., but the probiotic you choose should have undergone quality testing to make sure the claims match what's actually in the bottle.This ad is displayed using third party content and we do not control its accessibility features.
Fiber, especially prebiotic fiber, feeds your gut bacteria, and when it's metabolized, short-chain fatty acids are produced in the process. According to gastroenterologist and gut health expert, SCFAs balance your gut , support your immune system, lower cholesterol, regulate blood sugar, and improve brain function."They are the currency of gut health," he says."And we get them exclusively from prebiotic fiber.
Heads up: If your diet is low in fiber now, it's a good idea to slowly introduce high-fiber foods over a period of a couple of weeks. This gives your gut time to adjust to the change. If you eat too much fiber too quickly, it can cause gas buildup that leads to uncomfortable issues like bloating, stomach discomfort, and flatulence.