HealthyPIG Magazine
How do you know if your gut is healthy?
Probiotics vs. Prebiotics: What’s the Difference?
Probiotics are found in a variety of foods, such as yogurt and sauerkraut. Prebiotics are found in a variety of foods, such as whole grains, bananas, green leafy vegetables, onions, garlic, soybeans, and artichokes. In addition, probiotics and prebiotics are added to some foods as dietary supplements.
The relationship between gut microbiome and disease is being studied. The health benefits of currently available probiotics and prebiotics have not been conclusively proven.
However, side effects are rare, and most healthy adults can safely add foods containing prebiotics and probiotics to their diet. Future research may lead to advanced probiotics with greater potential to improve health.
If you are considering supplements, talk to your doctor first about whether they are right for you.
What are some signs that you need probiotics?
You may be surprised to learn that digestive issues like diarrhea and constipation are just one of the signs you may benefit from taking probiotics.
What exactly are probiotics? Probiotics are bacteria and yeasts that are beneficial to your body in some way.
Super healthy probiotic foods
What are probiotics
Probiotics are made from good live bacteria and/or yeasts that are naturally present in your body. There are constantly good bacteria and bad bacteria in your body. When you are infected, harmful bacteria will increase, causing your system to lose balance. Good bacteria help eliminate extra bad bacteria and restore balance. Probiotic supplements are a way to add beneficial bacteria to your body.
What are prebiotics
Prebiotics are compounds in food that can induce the growth or activity of beneficial microorganisms such as bacteria and fungi. The most common example is in the gastrointestinal tract, where prebiotics can change the composition of organisms in the gut microbiome.
Dietary prebiotic compounds are usually indigestible fibers that pass through the upper gastrointestinal tract undigested and stimulate the growth or activity of beneficial bacteria, which are used as substrates to colonize the large intestine. As a functional food ingredient, prebiotics, like probiotics, are a conceptual intermediary between food and medicine. Depending on the jurisdiction, they are usually subject to mid-level regulatory review, especially health claims related to them made for marketing purposes.
What you should know about probiotics
Probiotics are living microorganisms (such as bacteria) that are the same or similar to those naturally occurring in the human body and are considered to have potential health benefits. By thinking of the human body as the "host" of bacteria and other microorganisms, you may be able to better understand probiotics. The lower digestive tract (intestine), especially the human body, has a complex and diverse intestinal flora. Bacteria are often considered harmful "pathogens", but in fact many of them contribute to the normal functioning of the human body.
