What Are the Signs You Need Prebiotics? Listen to Your Gut
Your gut is talking.
Are you listening?
Wondering what the signs are that you need prebiotics? Your body is probably already sending you signals.
Prebiotics are the non-digestible fibers that nourish your good gut bacteria.
Unlike probiotics, which introduce new bacteria to the gut, prebiotics simply feed the bacteria that are already there — and that’s a great thing for your microbiome.
But in today’s processed, low-fiber world, your gut may be starved for the raw materials it needs to do its job.
Here is how to know when it’s time to fuel it with some real, plant-based power.
You Experience Pancreatitis Every Time You Eat Digestive Pain!
Bloating.
Gas.
Constipation.
Irregularity.
These are not just petty inconveniences — they’re the messages of your microbiome.
Your gut bacteria can be thought of as an active “organ,” regulating digestion.
Prebiotics give your digestive system a sense of normalcy by feeding those beneficial bacteria that help to break down and produce short-chain fatty acids from food (1).
If your gut doesn’t feel right more days than it does, you need to give that ecosystem a boost.
You’re Always Craving Sugar or Junk Foods
If you find that you are always craving sugar on this plan, it could be because your blood sugar is fluctuating too much.
Cravings come from the gut.
And an unbalanced microbiome — especially one deprived of prebiotics — can send you on a downward spiral toward sugar and processed food addiction.
Why?
Because the bad bacteria feed off those foods and tell your brain to eat more of them (2).
Prebiotics help to crowd out the bad guys, feeding the good ones.
That’s a balance that helps steady blood sugar and can help minimize false hunger signals.
If you reach for a snack when you’re full, your gut may be ravenous not for sugar… but for fiber.
Your Immune System Feels Weakened
70% of your immune system resides in your gut.
In other words, your microbiome is your front line of defense.
If you’re prone to frequent colds, have difficulty recovering from illness, or suffer from chronic inflammation, it’s possible that a prebiotic deficiency is compromising your internal defenses.
Prebiotics encourage the growth of gut-friendly bacteria such as bifidobacteria (3), which can help to regulate immune function and reduce inflammation.
Maybe feeding your gut is the cure you’ve been hearing about for staying healthy throughout the year.
Your mood just doesn’t feel quite right—low energy, brain fog, irritability.
The gut is frequently referred to as your “second brain.”
There’s a reason for that.
More than 90% of your body’s serotonin (the hormone responsible for happiness and emotional balance) is produced in the gut (4).
A ravenous gut is a sign of a starved brain, and a starved gut will manifest in more anxiety, more fatigue, and foggier thinking.
Prebiotics support your microbiome’s ability to control the production of neurotransmitters that keep mood elevated and mental clarity high.
If you’re emotionally exhausted or cognitively sluggish, your gut may be hungry — not for food, but for certain nutrients.
You’ve Recently Taken Antibiotics
Antibiotics are miracle pills, but they can wipe out all creatures great and small—even those you want living in your intestines.
This leaves a blank slate in your gut that bad bacteria are waiting to fill.
In the process of doing this, prebiotics can help you repopulate your good flora so that your gut has all the raw materials it needs to find balance again.
Post-antibiotics prebiotics are analogous to sowing seeds in new soil.
It’s the way you repopulate a vibrant ecosystem in your belly.
Your Skin Is Out of Wack (Acne, Eczema, or Dryness)
Your skin is simply a reflection of your gut.
When your microbiome is inflamed or dysbiotic, toxins can leak into your bloodstream and present themselves on your face (5).
Many skin issues — like acne, eczema, ma, and even dry skin — can be traced back to a lack of proper gut health.
Nourishing your gut with prebiotics also improves the defense barrier of your intestines and reduces systemic inflammation.
That equates to clearer, calmer skin from the inside out.
You Have Little Fiber in Your Diet, and It’s Highly Processed
If your daily plate is scant on plants and heavy on processed snacks, chances are good that there’s a hunger strike going on at the microbial level.
Prebiotics occur naturally in real food — especially fibrous fruits, vegetables, seeds, and roots.
But most people consume a fraction of the recommended daily fiber intake.
With no fiber, your microbiome is impoverished, your digestion slows, and your immune system goes to pot.
A higher inclusion of prebiotic foods can totally redirect your course to health.
How to Get More Prebiotics in Your Diet Naturally
The healthiest diet for your gut is one based on real, whole foods.
Some of the most abundant sources of nature's prebiotics are:
- Raw garlic and onions
- Leeks and asparagus
- Bananas (especially slightly green)
- Chicory root
- Jerusalem artichokes
- Dandelion greens
It can be hard to obtain enough prebiotics per day through food alone, so add a whole-food-based supplement.
Find choices that are sourced from clean, plant-derived ingredients without any unwanted additives or fillers.
Wild Foods has a Wild Prebiotic Superblend made to feed your gut flora with the best things in nature--wild foraged, wild sourced (not farmed and still part of nature).
Final Thoughts
If your body is giving you any of these signs — upset digestion, fatigue, cravings, lackluster skin — maybe it’s time to rewild your gut.
What really does the heavy lifting, though, is our prebiotic friends, which work quietly to restore your insides.
Not only do they help you digest better, but they also support your mood, immunity, energy, and long-term vitality.
Rather than waiting for your gut to scream, tune in when it whispers.
Feed it real food.
Support it with plant-based power.
Find your energy once again, with the help of nature.
🌿 Feed Your Gut, Fuel Your Life! Give your microbiome the nourishment it craves. Balance digestion, boost immunity, and feel the difference daily. 🌿
FAQs about the Signs that You Need Prebiotics
How can you tell if you’re running low on prebiotics?
Common symptoms are bloating, poor digestion, sugary cravings, fatigue, and illness more than usual, as well as skin flare-ups.
Can I take prebiotics and probiotics at the same time?
Yes, they work synergistically. Prebiotics feed the probiotics, helping them to grow and populate your gut.
What happens when you first start prebiotics?
Initially, you might experience some mild gas or bloating as your gut gets accustomed to it, but you’ll eventually find improved digestion and energy.
How can I tell if my gut bacteria are out of whack?
If you’re dealing with frequent digestive issues, low immunity, mental fog, and skin problems, or simply can’t seem to get by without a daily dose of Zantac or other heartburn medication, you may also be struggling with gut dysbiosis.
Are prebiotics O.K. for children and older people?
Usually, yes—especially when it comes from food. CHILDREN'S HEALTHY EATING GUIDE Keep in mind that it's always best to check with a reliable healthcare professional for advice and guidance appropriate to your child's age.
Related Studies
1. Title: Effects of Dietary Fibers on Short-Chain Fatty Acids and Gut Microbiota Composition in Healthy Adults: A Systematic Review
Systematic review shows dietary fibers like prebiotics elevate SCFA levels and modify gut microbiota in healthy adults.
Link: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9268559/
2. Title: Is eating behavior manipulated by the gastrointestinal microbiota?
Gut microbes manipulate host eating, including cravings, via neural, metabolic, and toxin pathways to favor their survival.
Link: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4270213/
3. Title: Exploring the role of the microbiota member Bifidobacterium in mucosal immunity
Bifidobacterium regulates immune cells and cytokines, promoting homeostasis and reducing inflammation in mucosal immunity.
Link: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7288987/
4. Title: Linking the gut microbiota to a brain neurotransmitter
Gut microbiota influences serotonin levels and brain function, with germ-free models showing deficits in neurotransmitter regulation.
Link: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7004240/
5. Title: Gut–Skin Axis: Gut Microbiome & Psoriasis Connection
Gut microbiome dysbiosis drives skin inflammation via leaky gut and immune mediators, supporting the bidirectional gut-skin axis.
Link: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9138548/
