So, now that you have chosen a solution, how will you implement it? How will you ensure success?

You have to share your intentions and you need a plan to carry it out, which is third and final step. You can’t “Just do it”. If it was that easy, you’d already be “Doing it”! The more people you tell, more responsible you’ll feel to carry out your plan. Sit down and put your plan together. Using our jogger, let’s say he’s decided he’ll start walking every work day. Just saying, “I’ll walk every day at work” is not enough. He has to determine when, where, how long and plan for days it won’t work, such as rain or extra-long work days. It has to be specific and detailed, with back-up plan. Our jogger has decided he can commit to a 15 minute walk each work day during lunch, before he eats. He’ll put his shoes in his car so he has them every day and he’ll tell all his co-workers his plan. Some may even eventually join him! He has determined that if weather is bad, that he can take time to stop at indoor mall after work and get that 15 minute walk in before going home. He has his plan!

Will it work? It depends on how serious he is. If he doesn’t do it, then he knows this isn’t right solution. This can happen, so then it’s time to go back to drawing board and pick a new solution. It’s ok if solution doesn’t work, as long as he realizes it just means finding a new solution. Perhaps he needs a new, more workable goal!

So, take these steps to achieve your health goals: Determine all your goals, choose one to work on at a time. List all obstacles then determine solutions to those obstacles. Pick one solution, draw up a plan, and tell everyone you can about your plan. Make plan specific and then stick to it. If it’s something you really want to achieve, you will do it!

Because flatulence, bloating and abdominal cramps can be an undesirable consequence of taking prebiotics (and even probiotics), it is recommended that anyone considering taking these in supplement form contact a healthcare professional familiar with such products for individualized recommendations. Those who could benefit from taking probiotic and prebiotic supplements include: 1 – People taking antibiotics which kill off ‘good bugs’ in intestinal tract. 2 – People who suffer from diarrhea, constipation, gastrointestinal distress, and/or irritable bowel syndrome. 3 – Women who suffer from chronic yeast and/or Candida infections.

Probiotic supplements are available as freeze-dried, powdered, capsules, wafers and liquids. Doses of Acidophilus and Bifidobacteria are expressed in billions of live organisms and a typical dose, unless otherwise recommended, is between 3 billion to 5 billion live organisms. Because probiotics are living organisms and are fragile, they should always be refrigerated. Products found on a shelf, therefore, are not going to contain live organisms and not be as effective. The product label should guarantee a certain number of live organisms by expiration date of product. There should always be an expiration date.

Prebiotics can be found either with a probiotic product or separately, because FOS and inulin are food for probiotics. If purchased separately, they can be taken together. Some people, because of high number of ‘bad bugs’ in their gastrointestinal tract, cannot handle two products taken together in beginning. This is where an experienced healthcare professional can be beneficial. The suggested intake of FOS is 2-3 grams per day. Products containing vitamin C, whey protein, or cysteine may improve effectiveness of probiotics.

This information is not intended to substitute for medical advice or care that you would receive from your healthcare professional, so always check with your provider. If you are taking medications, or have health issues, make sure you start these products under care of a professional. Some people will notice no harmful effects and these products are generally very safe, but individual sensitivity can alter effects of such products.

If something as simple as providing and feeding your ‘good bugs’ in intestinal tract can improve subtle or severe health issues, it’s certainly time to start feeding our ‘good bugs’ today!