Your mom and dad complain about heartburn. You’ve heard buzz about probiotics and prebiotics and how they can help with digestion and overall health. A person’s intestines are filled with thousands of species of bacteria. Those bacteria keep the digestive system running well. They help with immune function and lower the incidence of inflammation.
Your mom and dad never even notice them for the most part. If they have to take antibiotics or have a bad stomach bug, they might start to notice how it takes their digestive system a bit to get back to normal. They may feel more tired and moody until they’re back to full health. It’s due to the changes in the levels of bacteria.
Prebiotics vs. Probiotics
Prebiotics are fibers from plants. Their role in the intestines and gut is to help grow additional bacteria. Think of them as the manure you need in a garden to grow vegetables.
Other Ways to Help Digestion
Are there other ways to help your parents with digestion? If they find themselves dealing with heartburn or acid reflux after dinner, they should try switching to smaller meals more often. Instead of a big dinner at 6 p.m., they could have multiple smaller meals all day.
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