Maintain a healthy gut by taking probiotics and prebiotics
Are you often sick, or do you suffer from digestive disorders? Do your bowel movements change in frequency, shape, smell, color, or consistency? Have you taken antibiotics recently to cure the infection and not yet felt better?
If so, then probiotics could be just what the doctor ordered. Probiotics are live microorganisms that can help improve digestion and immunity by maintaining a healthy intestinal balance.
They’re different from prebiotics, which provides live bacteria already present in the intestines. Prebiotic foods include asparagus, bananas, garlic, and onions. Read on to learn more about how they both work and their differences.
What Are Probiotics and Prebiotics?
A probiotic is a live microorganism; usually, bacteria or yeast, used to promote healthy digestion. Probiotics are not prebiotics. Prebiotics feed the suitable type of bacteria that’s already in your intestines. They are food for the bacteria living in your gut.
A prebiotic is a non-digestible food ingredient that stimulates the growth or activity of bacteria in the intestines.
The following foods are high in fiber and can help nourish your gut:
- Garlic – contains an insoluble fiber called cellulose, which acts as a brush to sweep out toxins and waste from the intestines
- Asparagus – is prebiotic that helps stimulate the growth of good bacteria and probiotics in the gut
- Bananas – are rich in fructooligosaccharides (FOS), which feed healthy bacteria in your gut, as well as antioxidants that can help improve digestion
- Onions – also high in FOS, onions are a common ingredient in recipes designed to improve gut health
Why Are Gut Bacteria Beneficial?
The human body is made up of trillions of cells, yet only a small number are humans. The majority of bacteria living in the gut are beneficial to human health.
Gut bacteria play a role in digestion, synthesizing vitamins and minerals, regulating the immune system, and preventing the growth of harmful bacteria. They also produce enzymes that help break down food so the body can absorb the nutrients.
An imbalance in gut bacteria can lead to digestive problems, such as diarrhea, constipation, and IBS. It can also lead to other health problems such as obesity, heart disease, and allergies.
If you are suffering from digestive problems or any other health issues, taking probiotics and prebiotics may help restore the balance in your gut.
How Does Food Affect the Gut Microbiota?
The human gut microbiota is a highly complex community. It contains over 100 trillion bacteria, referred to as the microbiome because they outnumber our human cells.
The gut microbiota is affected by the food we eat and our lifestyle and environment. The following are some of the ways food can influence our gut microbiota:
- The type of bacteria in the gut changes with age. As we get older, the number of beneficial bacteria decreases, and the number of harmful bacteria increases.
- Children who are breastfed have a different gut microbiota than bottle-fed children.
- The gut microbiota of people who eat a lot of fiber is different from those who don’t eat a lot of fiber.
- The gut microbiota of people who eat a lot of processed foods is different than the gut microbiota of those who eat a lot of unprocessed foods.
- The gut microbiota of people who eat a lot of meat is different from those who don’t eat a lot of meat.
So, what should you eat to improve your gut health?
- Avoid processed foods, refined carbohydrates, and sugars. They are low in nutrients and can cause or worsen digestive problems.
- Eat plenty of fiber from fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Fiber helps keep the gut microbiota healthy and can help prevent digestive problems.
- Eat a lot of vegetables, especially fermented foods. Vegetables contain prebiotics that helps nourish beneficial bacteria in the gut and support a healthy digestive system.
- Eat probiotic foods such as yogurt, kefir, kimchi and sauerkraut. Probiotics are beneficial bacteria that can help support your gut health.
- Eat foods rich in healthy fats, such as avocado and coconut oil. Healthy fat helps nourish the gut microbiota and support digestive health.
- Avoid drinking alcohol and smoking. Alcohol and smoking can adversely affect the gut microbiota and lead to digestive problems.
- Avoid foods high in artificial sweeteners, preservatives, and other additives. These can negatively influence the gut microbiota and lead to digestive problems.
How Do Probiotics and Prebiotics Work?
Probiotics and prebiotics are two types of supplements that help improve gut health. But what do they do?
Probiotics are beneficial bacteria that live in the gut. They help keep the gut microbiota healthy and can help prevent digestive problems.
Prebiotics are substances that help nourish beneficial bacteria in the gut. They can be found in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.
Both probiotics and prebiotics improve gut health, but how they work is not fully understood. It is thought that they work together to support healthy gut microbiota.
Probiotics and prebiotics do not have the same function in your body. They are often referred to as “probiotics” and “prebiotics,” but it would be more accurate to call them pro-microbiota supplements and pre-microbiota supplements.
Differences Between Probiotics and Prebiotics
Probiotics are live microorganisms that can help improve your digestion and immunity by maintaining a healthy intestinal balance. At the same time, Prebiotics provide food for the good bacteria already in your intestines to keep them alive and working well.
A probiotic is a live microorganism, usually, bacteria or yeast used to promote healthy digestion. At the same time, Prebiotics are non-digestible food ingredients that stimulate the growth or activity of bacteria in the intestines.
The main difference between prebiotic-rich foods and probiotic supplements is that prebiotics work from the inside, while probiotics work from the outside.
Both probiotics and Prebiotics are essential for gut health but in different ways. Probiotics help keep your digestion running smoothly by maintaining a healthy balance of bacteria in the intestines.
Prebiotics provide food for the good bacteria already in your intestines, helping to keep them alive and working well. They are important for gut health because they help maintain an optimal bacterial balance.
Should I Take Probiotic Supplements?
There is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question. Some people find that taking a probiotic supplement helps improve their digestion, while others don’t see any benefit. If you decide to take a probiotic supplement, it’s essential to choose one rich in the type of bacteria that your body needs.
If you’re unsure which probiotic supplement is right for you; it’s best to speak with a healthcare professional. They can help you determine which type of bacteria your body needs and recommend a supplement that will work best for you.
Bottom Line
Both probiotics and Prebiotics are essential for gut health but in different ways. Probiotics help keep your digestion running smoothly by maintaining a healthy balance of bacteria in the intestines.
Prebiotics provide food for the good bacteria already in your intestines, helping to keep them alive and working well. They are essential because they help maintain an optimal bacterial balance.
