Dear Reader, A while ago I had a (thankfully minor) infection, and was prescribed antibiotics to treat it. The antibiotics worked great on the infection, but unfortunately, my gut health took a bit of a hit. So like nurturing a wilting plant back to life, I decided to pay a bit of extra attention to how I could help my gut health thrive. First, prebiotics to power the process Prebiotics are non-digestible compounds in food that promote the growth of beneficial bacteria (probiotics) in our gut. Instead of breaking down in the gut, they are fermented by beneficial bacteria– essentially acting as "food" for good bacteria. Prebiotics are found in a variety of plant-based foods, particularly those high in fiber, such as fruits, vegetables, and whole grains (perhaps unsurprising). But don’t worry if you struggle to eat fruits and vegetables, it doesn’t need to be stressful:
Then, probiotics to promote healthy digestion Probiotics are "good" bacteria that can help improve digestion, boost immunity function, and even mental well-being. Lucky for me, Japanese cuisine has a long history of probiotic-rich foods, with multiple easy and delicious ways to enjoy it. Here are some of my favorite Japanese probiotic foods:
And finally, some peace What you eat matters, but there is also a very important relationship between our gut health and our mental health. We're still learning how they affect each other, but it’s important to remember that no amount of healthy eating can offset unmanaged stress and anxiety.
It may sometimes feel like we're always falling short or could be doing more to improve our health, but we don’t need to do everything right (in fact, a well-balanced lifestyle will look far from perfect) to lead healthy, meaningful lives. Instead start with some inspiration– What might you try this week? So you can spend less time worrying about your health, but more time enjoying it. Write to me! I love reading everything that comes my way. Wishing you a lovely day ahead 😊 Warmly, Kaki Thanks for reading! If you enjoyed this, please forward this email to your friends and family (or share the article) 🌱 If this email was forwarded to you, it's nice to meet you 😊
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I teach about health inspired by simple Japanese philosophies and lifestyle practices, so you can learn to find peace, fulfillment, strength, and health in your own body. Sign up for my newsletter to receive all my writing and exclusive resources!
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