Wednesday: The Truth About Probiotics & Prebiotics 

Walk down any supplement aisle and you’ll see probiotics everywhere. But here’s the truth: 

• Probiotics are live bacteria that support gut balance. They can be helpful — but they’re not magic pills. 

• Prebiotics are the food those bacteria eat — mostly certain fibers. Without prebiotics, probiotics can’t thrive. 

Think of probiotics as planting seeds and prebiotics as watering them. You need both for a healthy gut garden. 

Instead of just buying a probiotic and hoping for the best, focus first on the basics: 

• Eat a wide variety of colorful plants — different fibers feed different bacteria. 

• Include garlic, onions, asparagus, bananas, oats — natural prebiotic foods. 

• If you choose a probiotic supplement, look for one with multiple strains (like Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium). 

Action Step: Add one prebiotic-rich food to your next meal — garlic in your dinner, oats at breakfast, or a banana as a snack.