·
A growing body of research
suggests that what’s happening in your gut may also have an impact on your
brain and affect your mood.
·
The gut is home to a 100
trillion microorganisms. This is known as your gut microbiome. Everyone’s is
different and is affected by age, genetics, environment and diet.
·
Probiotics are good bacteria
that live in the gut. They help improve digestion, form vitamins, activate
healthy-promoting compounds and prevent infection. The most common sources are:
yogurt, kefir products and some aged cheeses that contain "live and active
cultures".
·
Prebiotics act as the food for probiotics
(good bacteria in the gut). Examples include: asparagus, tomatoes, leeks,
garlic, bananas, brown rice, wild rice, buckwheat, and soybeans.
·
If your immune system is
weakened, probiotics may be harmful so focus on foods with prebiotics instead. Make
sure to speak with your doctor.