The gut health aisle at your local pharmacy has never been longer, but according to some experts, many of us are still missing the basics. In “Fiber vs. Probiotics: What’s Best for Your Gut?,” GI expert Dr. Bulsiewicz says fiber is the foundation. When gut bacteria ferment fiber in the colon, they produce short-chain fatty acids which strengthen your gut barrier, regulate blood sugar, and support immune function. The good news is that fiber and probiotics actually work together, since many fibers act as prebiotics that feed good bacteria. Dr. Bulsiewicz frames it this way: fiber is the soil and probiotics are the seeds. Once you’ve built a foundation, you can introduce probiotic supplements for a synergistic effect. We explored this topic on the SMM Podcast with FitBiomics CEO Dr. Jonathan Scheiman (which you can listen to on Spotify or Apple Podcasts). His company makes VNella, a probiotic supplement containing Veillonella atypica – a microbe that converts lactic acid into short-chain fatty acids to fuel your body. Readers can try it for 30% off using code 6MINMILE. While testing new supplements, remember that internal balance appears to be key. “Is it true that … having a diverse microbiome stops you from getting sick?” notes that high microbial diversity generally correlates with better health. Researchers theorize that having multiple microbe species competing for resources helps maintain balance and prevents any single group from multiplying too rapidly. Because scientists are still determining exactly what makes a perfect gut, combining a varied, high-fiber diet with targeted probiotics could be the most reliable approach to supporting your overall immune function.

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