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Gut health is certainly having its moment in the wellness sphere.
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But they dont work alone, and thats where prebioticsa term often confused with probioticscome in.
Like flowers in a garden, probiotics need to be fertilized to grow and survive.
While probiotics and prebiotics work together, there are some important differences in how they may affect your body.
It all starts with your gut microbiome, which is basically its own world.
On one end, there are microbes that support your health2.
Its when you get a disruption or an imbalance in that normal makeup3that things may get dicey.
This can trigger some common GI symptoms likediarrhea, abdominal pain, and bloating, among others.
Thats why balance in your gut microbiomes composition is so important.
As for what can help with that rebalancing?
Thats where probiotics have earned a lofty reputation3.
Why do probiotics get so much hype, anyway?
When we talk about probiotics, were most often referring todietaryprobiotics, or those naturally present in food sources.
Strains of bacteriasuch asLactobacillusorBifidobacterium8are typically used in the fermentation of foods.
Some goodprobiotic sourcesinclude:
When you eat fermented foods, the microbes type your digestive system.
They pass through your stomach, where most of them are killed.
The microbes that survive make it to the small intestine, where some of them will pass through.
Then they travel to the colonan environment home to many different species of microbes.
The microbes stick around there for some time, depending on your guts structure and environment, says Wong.
Now, lets talk more about how prebiotics come into play.
Ideally, this should make for a diverse and balanced gut microbiome12.
What are some other potential benefits of probiotics and prebiotics?
And prebiotics, as weve mentioned, also play a role in that balance.
Because dietary probiotics dont colonize the gut, their potential effects are temporary.
Are prebiotic or probiotic supplements worth it?
In my clinic, I see a lot of people taking probiotics formild constipationandbloating, says Wong.
Then theres also the fact that dietary supplements dont require FDA approval.
If you focus too much on one without the other, youre probably missing out on their stronger-together combination.
