Probiotics and prebiotics are dietary supplements that promote the growth of beneficial bacteria in the gut. They are often used to treat diarrhea, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and other gastrointestinal issues.
Probiotics contain live microorganisms that can be found naturally in the body; they help maintain a healthy balance of microflora in the gut. Probiotic supplements may also be called “friendly bacteria.” They can be taken orally or applied topically to treat infections such as oral thrush or vaginal yeast infections.
Prebiotics are nondigestible fiber compounds that stimulate the growth of beneficial bacteria found in the colon. Prebiotics can be found in foods such as bananas, whole wheat bread and oatmeal, but they are not usually included in most high-fiber foods because they aren’t digested by humans. Instead, prebiotics need to be taken as a supplement to promote good gut health.
Probiotics and prebiotics are not the same thing. Probiotic supplements contain live microbes, while prebiotics are nondigestible fiber compounds that stimulate the growth of beneficial bacteria. Although there is no consensus on the exact definition, probiotics are generally considered to be microorganisms that provide health benefits when consumed in adequate amounts.
Probiotic and Prebiotic Supplements
Probiotics are commonly found in fermented foods, such as yogurt and kefir. Prebiotics are nondigestible fiber compounds that stimulate the growth of beneficial bacteria such as lactobacilli and bifidobacteria. Both probiotics and prebiotics can be found in supplements. Unlike probiotic supplements, which contain live microbes, prebiotic fiber is not absorbed by the body but passes through it unchanged.
Probiotics, Prebiotics and Synbiotics
A synbiotic is a supplement that contains both probiotics and prebiotics. It’s a combination of two or more types of microorganisms (probiotics) and nondigestible food ingredients such as fiber (prebiotics), which work together to provide health benefits. Seed supplement is a type of synbiotic that contains prebiotics, probiotics. It’s a combination of two or more types of microorganisms (probiotics) and nondigestible food ingredients such as fiber (prebiotics), which work together to provide health benefits.