The food you eat is usually just thought of as protein, carbohydrates and fats. But the reality is, that it’s much more complicated than that. The fats alone have a variety of different forms and end results. There are phytochemicals (plant compounds) found in whole foods, which can have a myriad of beneficial effects on the body. And of course there’s fiber as well. Or should we say prebiotics?
So what is the difference between fiber and prebiotics? That’s a great question as many experts are confused by this, because they are so similar. Both are indigestible to us, and make their way, more or less intact further on down the GI tract. When most people think of the term fiber, they think of a bulking physical action, which has its benefits. Prebiotics on the other hand conjure up the idea of feeding good bacteria. Both of these are true. But fibers also ferment, and prebiotics can also feed bad bacteria. The key is knowing which are best to feed your specific microbiome, at what dose and blended with which other prebiotics
Pectin is a crucial prebiotic which I’ve used to help many people over the years as the former head of medical education for a microbiome firm. And now with my own educational platform, I’m here to help everybody, and a part of that is informing you on the benefits of pectin.
So what is pectin and why should you care? It is a normal component of your food, however due to its structure, your gastrointestinal tract is not able to access the sugars within. The good news is that those sugars become fuel for your microbiome. There are two critical health-promotors within your microbiota in which multiple studies have shown that they love pectin and thrive off of it. They are Eubacterium eligens (and probably at least one other species from Lachnospira) and the superhero of the gut, Faecalibacterium prausnitizii. So there is some truth to “an apple a day keeps the doctor away.”
These bacteria possess the enzymatic machinery able to access the sugars locked behind specific bonds. But also important is where they do it. You see, pectin is a complex compound. Which is a good thing. I don´t recommend simple prebiotics like FOS and GOS to people. Yes, I know they have been shown to increase Bifidobacterium, but big deal. Many prebiotics increase Bifidobacterium, and the microbiome is infinitely more complex than just one genus. The complexity of pectin allows it to be fermented throughout the colon. That´s a very good thing.
There are a number of sources of pectin in our diet and in supplement form. Some are better than others. It´s quite possible that your microbiome could use some pectin. Of course, I never just recommend one prebiotic to people suffering from dysbiosis. I have a unique way of doing things, and it’s backed by science and proven to work. Feel free to view my testimonials.
In our world as it is, we all now have to be our own health advocates. With a broken government, food and medical system, you need to take charge of your healthcare. So, educate yourself, as best you can. This is why I’ve launched my educational platform. For you. You can find my presentation entitled, “Pectin and the Microbiome” in my Microbiome University tab, and also on my YouTube channel. If you have a condition or disease that you think would be well served by addressing your microbiome, you can visit the Protocols tab on my website, and for the mere price of a cup of coffee, you can find a science-based protocol which may dramatically improve your quality of life.
