Feeding the future
By Dave Nelson
Imagine strolling the aisles of your local natural health retailer and spotting foods and supplements proudly displaying a “feeds your microbes” badge. I believe if that were to happen, chronic-disease curves would finally begin trending downward.
The caveat, of course, is that those products must actually reflect what the labels indicate, that is: feeding our ancient friends—our gut microbiome.
That future might be closer than you think. Across almost every inflammation-driven condition, one solution keeps resurfacing: the power of prebiotics. It is my opinion that brands and retailers that put prebiotics’ potential into customers’ hands will help rewrite the story of Canadian health.
Before we start extolling the benefits of prebiotics, I want to be clear that they aren’t the only answer to the health problems we face. Yet, they must be part of any roadmap to flourishing. After all, health span (how long we live well) matters as much as lifespan.
The fibre gap
Average Canadians consume about 14 g of fibre daily, well below the recommended 25 to 38 g. Ultra-processed foods—now accounting for more than 54 percent of calories consumed—overshadow prebiotic-rich choices. Add “food-skill fatigue” (fewer people cook from scratch, many restaurants rely on premixes) and our microbiomes go hungry, setting the stage for systemic inflammation and a surge in non‑communicable diseases.
What exactly is a prebiotic?
The International Scientific Association for Probiotics and Prebiotics defines a prebiotic as “a substrate that is selectively utilized by host microorganisms, conferring a health benefit.” Put simply, prebiotics are food (and information) for friendly gut bugs. They reinforce the intestinal barrier, boost mucin production, crowd out troublemakers, and trigger production of short‑chain fatty acids, such as butyrate, that soothe inflammation from colon to brain.
My Saturday conversations
Here’s where natural health product formulators and local natural health retailers can shine. I work the floor of my store almost every Saturday, and every customer chat now loops back to gut health. Here are some of the ways I communicate what I know about gut health and prebiotics to my customers:
1. Feed your gut gardeners. Friendly microbes need fuel, making prebiotics a non‑negotiable on your shopping list.
2. Feel the ripple. A robust microbiome means steadier energy, calmer immunity, and brighter mood.
3. Food first; supplements seal the deal. We definitely celebrate wholefood wins. However, since gaps in nutrition still exist, I position supplements as trusted back-ups and important power-ups for feeding the gut.
With many Canadians facing health-related challenges, we have a lot to consider about the future of our national health and wellness. Just imagine if every healthcare consultation in our current medical system included an informed discussion about gut health and microbial nutrition? While we may not be there yet, there’s a growing opportunity for natural health retailers to be part of the solution. Remember, we’re not just moving product, we’re educating and building a healthier Canada—one gut and one person at a time.