The bacteria in your gastrointestinal tract, also called microbiota, never allow any of your food to go to waste. These beneficial microbes help you digest and break down food, which strengthens your immune system and reduces inflammation. But what sustains those beneficial little bugs and how can you make that bacteria more beneficial to you?
Well, that’s exactly what a prebiotic is meant to do. It’s basically a fibre derived from plants that are used to nourish your beneficial gut flora so that it can become more robust and healthier over time.
Signs You Should Be Taking Prebiotic Supplements
Sure, doctors recommend taking prebiotic-rich foods, but the way you cook your food determines the type and number of products available. Therefore, to stick up to recommended daily doses and optimise your gut health take prebiotics boosted with natural nutrients only.
These amazing organic blends usually contain organic spirulina, chlorella, wheatgrass, kale, spinach and herbs to nourish your body and give you energy for a productive day.
Organic spirulina is a blue-green alga that is extremely nutritious and healthy. It contains a lot of calcium, protein, B vitamins, magnesium, copper, iron, manganese, potassium and other nutrients your body needs to stay healthy and active.
Chlorella is another alga that is rich in iron, fibre, B vitamins, complex carbohydrates, polyunsaturated fats, and antioxidants. It’s known for boosting immunity and promoting the detoxification of cells.
Because of its high levels of antioxidants and minerals like vitamins A, C, and E as well as magnesium, iron, calcium, and amino acids, wheatgrass has been added to most supplements.
Kale, which is not just one of the most nutrient-dense foods in the world but also incredibly tasty, is another superfood included. It has relatively little fat but a lot of alpha-linoleic acids, an omega-3 fatty acid. Its high quantities of antioxidants aid in preventing oxidative damage caused by free radicals in the body. This formula’s spinach, herbs, and other organic components promote good digestion and may help the body’s internal cleansing processes.
Most people will benefit from taking prebiotics. Even for those who believe that their gut is generally in good health, these supplements offer an additional level of protection. The gut’s homeostasis can be upset by some variables, including stress, aging, a bad diet, a loss of general health, and the use of antibiotics.
Inflammation may be brought on by an imbalance of microorganisms. In other words, it’s incredibly simple to experience digestive problems without even realising it. Allowing these problems to persist over time might result in malnutrition and chronic illness.
Prebiotics and Food
These supplements are taken most effectively with a glass of water. As a result, the majority of people favour taking them before a meal. It’s up to you whether you like to take them on an empty stomach or not.
However, the timing of your supplement and meal may depend on your digestive health. Keep in mind though that these supplements have a staggering number of fibres, so if you’re already prone to uncomfortable symptoms like bloating, taking them with a meal could exacerbate these issues.
The effects on probiotic gut bacteria like Lactobacillus or Bifidobacterium likely won’t be impacted by food because they pass through the digestive system unharmed. In reality, these gut-friendly fibres can be found in several fortified foods as well as foods including chicory root, leeks, lentils, and Jerusalem artichokes.
Dosage and Effect
A prebiotic supplement performs best when taken regularly. The optimum time to take them is whenever you can remember to do so on daily basis. To avoid taking it at a time that can cause discomfort, you may need to experiment if you have digestive diseases like irritable bowel syndrome, Crohn’s disease, or any other type of chronic digestive discomfort.
Generally speaking, these blends can be taken either when your wake up on empty stomach like the majority of fat burners, or before bed. Alternatively, you can do it whenever suits you best, but the most important is to take them every day and space them out for around 10 to 15 minutes to avoid bloating.
However, to determine the right timing you should take into account the fact that our digestive systems lack the enzymes necessary to break down fibre, and stomach acid is unable to do so or reduce absorption. A prebiotic supplement doesn’t require timing based on when your stomach is empty or full like probiotics do.
But they need to be taken at least 2 hours before or after taking drugs, as they may reduce the absorption of some drugs since they pass through the digestive system undigested.
If you have a digestive disorder like IBS, SIBO, or FODMAP, it may be preferable to take these supplements before bed. This helps to prevent any moderate side effects like gas or diarrhoea as the gut is at rest while you sleep. It also helps to start with a little dosage.
Prebiotic supplements improve the bacterial balance and probiotic growth conditions in the gut. However, it takes time for those changes to take place at the cellular level.
When you introduce a supplement and make other dietary modifications, some unpleasant symptoms including constipation, diarrhoea, and bloating may go away after a few days. To thoroughly repair the gut and avoid the recurrence of symptoms, you must continuously take a certain product – the longer you do it, the better.