Improve Your ‘Good’ Gut Bacteria

How can I improve “good” gut bacteria?
—LEWIS K., ST. LOUIS, MO 

Your microbiome, the bacteria in your gut, influences everything from mental health and metabolism to the immune system and heart health. Keep them healthy by eating naturally fermented foods—like live culture yogurt, kefir, sauerkraut, and kimchi—since they contain more good bacteria, and foods that are rich with prebiotics, like asparagus, onion, garlic, and leeks, as your gut bacteria thrives on them.