So if you're on social you know: You're always being told you need a probiotic. Or is it a preboitic...or both...? So let's start with the basics: What are these things and do you really need to be on one?
Tuesday, June 9, 2026 11:10AM So if you're on social you know: You're always being told you need a probiotic. Or is it a prebiotic...or both...?
So let's start with the basics: What are these things and do you really need to be on one? When healthy, the microbiome of your gut is crowded with good-for-you microorganisms, called probiotics. And I mean crowded.
"It's about 100 trillion that are there," says registered dietician Kelly Jones. "It actually adds up to four pounds of weight on your body as an adult. " "When you gut is happy, you're happy; the gut-brain connection affects everything, from your mental clarity to your heart health, and beyond. There's a respiratory connection, even a connection to your bones and muscles," says Jones.
So one is the organism, the other is feeding it. A healthy gut vibes with fiber from beans and lentils, fermented foods like yogurt and sauerkraut, and a rainbow of fruits and vegetables. Our microbiome suffers, as some of our probiotic strains disappear.
"Over 90% of Americans are not eating enough fruits and vegetables, and over 90% of Americans are not getting enough fiber," says Jones. Put berries in your cereal or add a cup of yogurt. You could also switch your daily broccoli with cauliflower or try different salad greens. If you're put off by fermented foods, start small: like a dressing with a little yogurt or miso, or a spoon of pickled veggies.
"I love to make a shrimp and rice and vegetable bowl and put a little kimchi in there, so it's going to make the flavor pop a bit and it's not going to be as tart," says Jones.
Please follow us on Google to support us United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Tony Awards 2026: 'Death of Salesman,' the prestige hit of the Broadway season, is showered with Tony loveThe critically hailed revival of 'Death of a Salesman' wins TK Tony Awards, including best revival and best featured actress in a play for Laurie Metcalf.
Read more »
11 Best New Dollar Tree Bathroom Finds Under $10 — Best Life11 Best New Dollar Tree Bathroom Finds Under $10
Read more »
11 Best New Lowe's Storage Finds Hitting Shelves This Month — Best Life11 Best New Lowe's Storage Finds Hitting Shelves This Month
Read more »
11 Best New Home Depot Outdoor Living Finds Hitting Shelves This Month — Best Life11 Best New Home Depot Outdoor Living Finds Hitting Shelves This Month
Read more »
2026 Tony Awards honorSchmigadoon! and more. See the full winners list here."Schmigadoon!" — which was tied for the most nominations, with 12 — won Best Musical, and "Liberation" took home the honor of Best Play at the 2026 Tony Awards.
Read more »
Tripadvisor Reveals 2026 Best of the Best Hotels WorldwideTripadvisor's 2026 Travellers' Choice Awards highlight the top-rated hotels globally, from Indonesia's G.H. Universal Hotel to Canada's Abigail's Hotel. The list, based on millions of reviews, features luxury, family-friendly, and nature-immersive properties across Brazil, Italy, the UK, the USA, Vietnam, and more.
Read more »