This article will help you understand the difference between probiotics and prebiotics and which may be best for your needs.
A healthy gut is essential to overall health, but many people don’t know how important it is to maintain healthy gut flora.
In this article, you will learn the difference between prebiotics vs probiotics, why both of these supplements should be a part of your diet, and some tips on how to incorporate them into your lifestyle.
You’ll also get an overview of the best brands on Amazon that have great reviews from customers who have tried them out themselves!
What are prebiotics and probiotics?
Prebiotics and probiotics are two types of bacteria that live in your gut. They both help you digest food, but they do so in different ways.
Prebiotics act as nutrients for the good bacteria already living in your gut, while probiotics change the environment around them to make them more hospitable for themselves.
What is a prebiotic?
A prebiotic is food that passes undigested through the stomach and small intestine to arrive at the large intestine. In the large intestine, prebiotics feeds the good bacteria that reside there and have various benefits on your health.
Prebiotic means “before life” as these compounds feed the bacteria in your gut which helps improve digestive function. Prebiotics are a source of food for probiotics, and because of this symbiotic relationship, one cannot exist without the other.
What is a probiotic?
A probiotic is a supplement containing beneficial microorganisms believed to improve digestive or immune system functions.
The most common microbes featured in probiotics are lactobacilli and bifidobacteria, which are also found in some yogurts and sauerkraut.
The microbes can be transferred to your gut during a course of antibiotics (to reduce the chance of diarrhea) or when you take certain medications like Nexium and Prilosec. Some dietary supplements may also contain probiotics.
Why is prebiotics vs probiotics important?
The bad news: our bodies are full of good and bad bacteria that live in our digestive tract, with most of the bad bacteria residing in our intestines.
The good news: research has shown that eating foods rich in prebiotics can help keep these harmful bugs at bay by feeding the “good” or beneficial bacteria so they can flourish while starving out potentially dangerous pathogens like E-coli.
Probiotic supplements offer another way to improve digestion and build up a stronger immune system through improved intestinal health.
What is prebiotics vs probiotics?
It is no secret that people are living longer.
This isn’t always a good thing, as many elderly people suffer from health complications and diseases associated with aging. There are ways to manage these symptoms, but one of the most promising treatments is probiotics.
Probiotics have been shown to help improve immune system function, digestive health, mental clarity or mood disorders like anxiety or depression – all issues that plague seniors.
The best way to know if this treatment is right for you is by consulting with your doctor first. They will be able to assess your symptoms and recommend the best course of action based on their findings.
You should also consult your pharmacist about supplements before taking anything so you don’t accidentally take something harmful in addition to what your doctor recommends.
If you are healthy, probiotics can also be taken as a preventative measure to maintain your good health. Probiotics can be found in pill, powder, or liquid form, and they can also be consumed through fermented foods like yogurt, kefir, sauerkraut, and kimchi.
Prebiotics are the food for probiotics. Just as you need to eat healthy foods to stay healthy, you need to feed your probiotics so that they can do their job. Prebiotics can be found in many plant-based foods like garlic, onions, bananas, berries, and oats.
The bottom line is that if you are having digestive issues, whether it’s problems such as diarrhea or constipation, or if you suffer from chronic health issues like irritable bowel syndrome or leaky gut, probiotics can help get your digestive system back in balance.
You need to consult with a medical professional before beginning any type of supplement regimen, and many patients find that they will need to be monitored and regularly tested in order to find the right dosage and combination of supplements that work for them.
Which is better prebiotics or probiotics?
There are many misconceptions about prebiotics vs probiotics. Some people believe that they both have the same effect, while others think that prebiotics can cause a lot of stomach discomfort.
The truth is, there is a difference between the two supplements, but it isn’t as big as you might think. Prebiotics come from non-digestible fibers found in plants like vegetables and whole grains; on the other hand, probiotics come from bacteria found in yogurt or kefir (a fermented milk drink).
Probiotic bacteria not only help with digestion but also confer immunity benefits to their hosts. They do this by producing lactic acid which helps break down food particles while at the same time making it difficult for unfriendly bacteria to survive.
Prebiotics, on the other hand, do not contain any live microorganisms. Rather, they stimulate the growth and activity of friendly bacteria in the gut by acting as a food source. They work best when combined with probiotics.
The bottom line is that both prebiotics and probiotics are important for gut health.
However, if you are only going to take one supplement, probiotics would be the better choice. This is because prebiotics works best when combined with probiotics, and probiotics have a host of other benefits that go beyond gut health.
What are the benefits of taking prebiotics and probiotics?
Prebiotics and probiotics have many benefits, including:
- restoring the balance of good and bad bacteria in your gut
- improving digestion
- boosting your immune system
- reducing inflammation
- helping to lose weight
- reducing the risk of developing diseases, such as cancer
How do prebiotics and probiotics work?
Prebiotics are a type of fiber that helps to feed the good bacteria in your gut. Probiotics are the good bacteria themselves. They work by restoring the balance of bacteria in your gut. The good bacteria then help to fight disease and improve digestion.
Prebiotics provide food for probiotics, hence probiotics require prebiotics to function properly.
The study of the link between the two is still underway, and scientists are unable to say whether ingesting prebiotics can help probiotic development.
What to avoid when taking prebiotics or probiotics
There are many benefits to taking probiotics or prebiotics, but there are also some downsides. Let’s discuss the pros and cons of these products before deciding if you want to take them.
Pros: Probiotics can reduce your risk for diabetes, obesity, cancer, anxiety and depression. They may also help protect against harmful bacteria by strengthening your immune system. Prebiotics can improve digestion by feeding good bacteria in our guts while suppressing bad bacteria like candida albicans (yeast).
Cons: Too much probiotic use could lead to an imbalance in gut flora or even thrush (an oral yeast infection), especially during antibiotic treatment; it might also interfere with prescription medications like birth control pills because they make the microbiome more diverse. Prebiotics can also cause gas and bloating in some people, though this usually goes away with continued use.
So, should you take prebiotics or probiotics?
The answer is: it depends. If you’re experiencing gut problems like constipation, diarrhea, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), Crohn’s disease, or diverticulitis, taking a probiotic may do you some good.
If you’re eating a healthy diet and already get lots of fiber, prebiotics probably won’t help your digestive system. Check with your doctor before starting new supplements to make sure they won’t interfere with any medications you are taking.
Also, if the supplement you’re taking contains live cultures, make sure to keep it refrigerated and discard any unused product after the expiration date. Probiotics and prebiotics are becoming more popular every day, so do your research and talk to your doctor to see if they’re right for you.
How much prebiotics vs probiotics should I take?
Your healthcare provider can recommend the amount of prebiotics and probiotics that are right for you.
In general, adults can eat 10 grams of prebiotic fiber a day – this is usually contained in 30 grams of oat bran, for example.
Probiotics can be found in yogurt, kefir, and other fermented foods. As a general rule, aim to eat at least one serving of probiotic-rich food every day.
Can you take prebiotics and probiotics together?
The answer is, that it depends on the type of probiotics and prebiotics that you are taking. For example, some types of probiotics need a certain kind of prebiotic to work properly in your body.
If you are taking a probiotic and prebiotic supplement daily, it is best to take them at different times of the day.
This will help your body to absorb the nutrients from each supplement.
Prebiotics vs probiotics supplements
One of the best things about using a probiotic or a prebiotic is that you can use them together for an even better effect. Probiotics and prebiotics can be taken as supplements, or you can get them from the foods you eat.
If you’re taking a probiotic supplement, make sure to also take a prebiotic supplement to ensure that you’re getting the most benefit from both.
Foods with prebiotics and probiotics
To increase your prebiotic and probiotic consumption, all you have to do is make a dietary modification.
However, eating the incorrect meals (such as those heavy in sugar and fat) can feed the bad bacteria in your stomach and give them an advantage over the healthy bacteria.
So, what foods should you eat to improve your gut health? The following is a list of foods that contain both prebiotics and probiotics:
Prebiotic foods:
- Bananas
- Onions
- Garlic
- Berries
- Legumes
- Beans
- Peas
- Oats
- Jerusalem artichokes
- Asparagus
- Dandelion greens
- Leeks
- Apple skin
- Chicory root
Probiotic foods:
- Miso soup
- Sauerkraut
- Kimchi
- Kombucha
- Kefir (dairy and non-dairy)
- Pickled vegetables
(Keep in mind that pickles need to be unpasteurized to have probiotics.)
How to choose a prebiotic and probiotic supplement
When it comes to choosing a probiotic or prebiotic supplement, it’s important to choose one that is tailored to your specific needs.
If you’re struggling with gut health issues like constipation or diarrhea, then you may want to choose a probiotic supplement that contains beneficial bacteria strains like Lactobacillus and Bifidobacteria.
If you’re looking for a general health boost, a probiotic supplement with a wide range of beneficial bacteria strains may be a better choice.
If you’re looking to improve your gut health, focus on eating prebiotic-rich foods and taking a prebiotic supplement. This will help to “feed” the good bacteria in your gut and promote healthy gut flora.
In conclusion
Prebiotics and probiotics are both important for gut health. Probiotics offer a direct way to improve your gut health by providing beneficial bacteria strains, while prebiotics offer a way to indirectly stimulate the growth of beneficial bacteria by feeding them.
They can help to restore the balance of good and bad bacteria in your gut, improve digestion, boost your immune system, reduce inflammation, help you to lose weight, and reduce the risk of developing diseases.
Choose a probiotic or prebiotic supplement that is tailored to your specific needs, and enjoy the health benefits of a healthy gut.
A quick reminder ..
Probiotics.tips aim to provide the most up-to-date information, help, and advice for YOU to make informed decisions. If you are unsure or uncertain and require more clarity, please reach out to us and we will gladly come back and advise you as best we can.
The best means to reach us is via email at info@probiotics.tips or fill out the form on our Contact Us page – click here.
Probiotics.tips
