Vegan Supplements, Prebiotics and more... let's get started as we have a lot to cover!
Gut health is key to overall health. If you’re considering vegan probiotics, here’s what you need to know about where to find them.
Probiotics accrue naturally in foods and we certainly can get our daily intake by eating specific foods to strengthen and support our body.
Vegan sources of probiotics include:
-
Certain dairy-free yogurts: Look for dairy free yogurts made with live cultures, such as Forager Project Unsweetened Plain Yogurt, Cocojune Organic Cultured Coconut Yogurt, and Trader Joe’s Organic Creamy Cashew Cultured Yogurt Alternative, Silk
-
Certain pickles: Look for “naturally fermented” on the label
-
Kimchi: Check the ingredients for shrimp and fish
-
Kombucha: Kombucha has naturally a lot of sugar but will help add more prebiotics
-
Miso: Turning off the heat before adding miso to broth preserves the good bacteria
-
Sauerkraut: A German staple since the 1600s that actually originates from ancient China, nearly 2,000 years ago when the Great Wall was being built
-
Sourdough: This dough is fermented using gut-healthy Lactobacillus cultures
-
Supplements: Look for “vegan” on the label
-
Tempeh: add it onto your daily breakfast, a lunch sandwich or vegan burger, yum.
Let’s talk Omega-3:
The three types of omega-3s are alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA). ALA is the plant-based omega-3, most commonly found in walnuts, chia seeds, flax seeds, hemp seeds, Brussels sprouts, kidney beans, and other whole plant foods. DHA and EPA are found in marine foods such as algae, seaweed, fish, and other seafood.
Each of the omega-3 fatty acids is necessary for staying healthy, but DHA and EPA are of particular importance.
“If people eat enough omega-3s from plant sources such as walnuts, chia seeds, flax seeds, and their oils, there’s no need to supplement omega-3. Moreover, a lot of literature suggests a whole food plant-based diet is far healthier and better for you than an unhealthy standard American diet supplemented with omega-3,” explains Dr. Dana Ellis.
At the end of the day, don’t stress over your omega-3 intake. Vegans, vegetarians, and omnivores can get enough omega-3 fatty acids through plant sources such as walnuts, brussels sprouts, seeds, seaweed, and algae. It’s a wise decision to take a plant-based algae oil supplement as an insurance policy to ensure you get enough DHA and EPA to protect your heart and brain health. Be cautious and speak with your healthcare provider before taking any new supplements.
Vegan Multivitamins Supplements we love:
The Complete Multivitamin for vegans from Terraseed which is a small batch company that focuses on quality over quantity.
Vegan Multivitamins Gummies from Herbaland, as well as their Immune Booster Gummies
Vitamine D3 (natural) NATURELO
Vegan Supplements For Body and Hair:
Vegan Collagen Gummies with Biotin
Briogeo vegan omega 3, 6, 9 + biotin supplements for healthy hair
probiotics
Supplements:
Women’s Probiotics from the brand Doctore’s Recipes
Vegan B12 in Dark Chocolate:
Vitamin B12 for long-lasting cellular energy from Try Sourse
The brand also carries other supplements, such as plant-based collagen for hydrated skin, vitamin D and saffron for a positive mood, as well as biotin for stronger, longer hair and nails.
