Prebiotics vs Probiotics: Why We Need Both

We’ve all heard about these two. They are actually a big deal in the world of nutrition and fitness. But what exactly is the difference between the two and why are both important for our overall wellness?

Probiotics are live organisms called bacteria that are found in certain foods that give our body numerous benefits. They naturally live in our bodies. We have heard about good and bad bacteria. When we get sick, there are more bad bacteria that are creating havoc in our system. Good bacteria on the other hand destroys bad bacteria and maintains the balance. That is the main job of probiotics. Aside from that, probiotics improve digestion and promotes heart health. The most common type of probiotics is lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium.

Where To Get Probiotics:

Probiotics are found in certain types of food such as yogurt, sauerkraut, cottage cheese, buttermilk and kimchi. Again as mentioned in previous blogs, not everyone has a fondness for these types of food. That being said, taking probiotics supplement or a probiotic enema. You can simply break open a few probiotic capsules, mix them with filtered water and pour it into an enema bag. Use an enema kit that has passed American, European and Australian standards for Non-toxic Medical Grade Equipment.

Prebiotics, on the other hand, are fiber rich grains that are indigestible by the body but are food for the good bacteria. They help beneficial bacteria grow in your gut. Prebiotics aid in digestion and promote growth of lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium which helps strengthen the immune system. They also help prevent IBD and Colorectal Cancer.

 

Where to Get Prebiotics: 

You will find prebiotics in many types of food, mostly fruits and whole grains such as apples, bananas, artichokes, barley, berries, oats, legumes, soybeans, wheat, cocoa, and other green vegetables. There are certain grocery products like baby food, cereal, yogurt and baby formula but the term “prebiotics” are cannot be found in their label. Instead look for terms such as galactooligosaccharides, oligofructose, inulin and chicory fiber. You should get at least 5 grams of prebiotics per day. Too much of it can cause bloating, constipation and diarrhea.

Both prebiotics and probiotics are essential to our overall health. They both play an important part in the balance of good and bad bacteria in the gut. The gut microbiome, perform a lot of functions in the human body so it is essential to keep the right balance of these bacteria to keep it healthy.