Feeding the Good Bugs

Fructooligosaccharides (FOS) are sugars that pass right through your stomach and land into your intestines.  Here, they function as food for your good bacteria (probiotics) and yeast.  FOS help to digest food, clean up your system and improve your immune response.  Who doesn’t like a clean and efficient system?

Common examples of FOS are asparagus, ripe bananas, brown sugar, chicory roots, endive, garlic, leeks and onions.

Certain conditions, like Crohn’s Disease, ulcerative colitis, arthritis, diabetes type II, obesity and colon cancer are associated with too many inflammatory strains of bacteria and not enough healthy bugs.  Anxiety and depression are linked to the gut-brain axis and can be significantly impacted by proper gut balance.  

As a side note, here’s another fun fiber fact.  Exercise can stimulate the growth of good bacteria.  The bacteria living within us can have a positive response to increased metabolic activity. Read the study here:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5357536/

Digestive health significantly influences your overall well-being.  Before you start making major changes in your diet, consult a qualified healthcare practitioner to make sure you are on the right track.  Dr. Barnett offers complimentary 15-minute phone consultations.  Call 206-267-2100 to schedule an appointment.