The gut is basically the mitochondria of the body; it’s the powerhouse. It is where we receive all of our vitamins and nutrients, and if it isn’t functioning properly, a lot of things can go wrong with our bodies.

The phrase you are what you eat goes a long way. We essentially are what we put into our bodies. If you haven’t felt good for the past few weeks, months, or even years, it might take nothing but a simple diet change to fix all of your issues. There are essential vitamins and nutrients that we need in order to have and maintain a healthy gut. But what are they? Well, two of the most important nutrients your gut needs is probiotics and prebiotics.

Probiotics

Probiotics are living bacteria and yeasts that are good for your health. Probiotics are essentially the good bacteria that your body needs. They are naturally found in the body, but they are also in fruits and supplements. Not much research was ever put into probiotics until about the 1990’s. Doctors will suggest probiotics to soothe stomach disorders and digestive issues, and you can find them in everyday foods such as yogurt and chocolate. They are so helpful with digestive disorders and stomach issues because they help food move through your gut. Some common digestive disorders they are proven to ease is Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Infectious Diarrhea, and antibiotic related diarrhea.

Probiotic foods and supplements are thought to be safe for most people, though some people with immune system problems or other serious health conditions shouldn’t take them.

Prebiotics

The cousin to probiotics, and lesser known, prebiotics are just as beneficial to your digestive health. They are a type of non-digestible fiber compounds. They can be found in all sorts of foods including artichokes, garlic, jicama, and dandelion greens and onions. They pass through the upper part of the gastrointestinal tract and remain undigested. Most doctors refer to them as fiber these days, because they pass down to the liver where they are broken down by and fermented by the gut microflora.

When probiotics and prebiotics are put in combination, they can lay out a powerful fight for bad bacteria and other digestive disorders. Prebiotics make it through the stomach without being digested, making positive changes in the digestive tract. Prebiotics work with probiotics to allow specific changes to take place. They both play a fundamental role in preserving health by maintaining intestinal bacteria.