Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com. Episode 2916: A thriving gut microbiome supports digestion and immunity, but can probiotic-rich foods like yogurt and kimchi truly make a difference? While they contain beneficial bacteria, their effectiveness depends on factors like strain diversity, fermentation methods, and survival through digestion. Research suggests that consistent intake and high enough doses, often greater than what's found in common foods, are necessary for real impact. For those considering probiotic supplements, choosing a high-quality, third-party-tested brand is essential to ensure effectiveness. Quotes to ponder: "Probiotics are live bacteria that support the health of our microbiome." "The trouble is we don’t really know how helpful these foods are when it comes to actually increasing the number of good bacteria in your gut." "We have to remember that we can’t just eat these foods once and expect the good bacteria in our intestines to change forever." Episode references: Visbiome High Potency Probiotic: https://www.visbiome.com Harvard’s Nutrition Source: https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices