What is the difference between Prebiotics and Probiotic Supplements?

Posted On July 14, 2020July 14, 2020

Posted By Herbspro

Prebiotics are a type of fiber that the human body cannot digest, but they play a vital role in our health as they stimulate the good bacteria in our gut. Prebiotics travel through our small intestine undigested and is fermented once it reaches the large colon. This fermentation process feeds beneficial bacterial colonies (including probiotic bacteria) and helps to increase the number of desirable bacteria in our digestive system.

Some examples of food that we can get our prebiotics from:

Bananas
Raisins
Asparagus
Onions
Garlic
Leeks
Chickpeas

Probiotics are live bacteria and yeasts that are essential for a healthy digestive system. We disrupt the good bacteria in our gut with the use of antibiotics or in a diet lacking wholesome foods. Having healthy gut bacteria supports our immune system, help us process and absorb nutrients, and lower the risk of many conditions.

How many probiotic foods do you need?

Harvard Health gives me some great guidelines and information for a healthy daily diet.

Some examples of food that we can get our probiotics from:

Sauerkraut
Pickles
Yogurt
Kefir
Sour cream

Is it ok to take a probiotic supplement every day?

While there may be a few exceptions to this rule, the general answer is yes, it is safe, and often recommended to take them daily. The first point to mention here is that probiotics are a natural supplement and not a medicine. They can be used to support general health, as part of a healthy lifestyle – rather than as a quick fix or course.