So which is better – prebiotics or probiotics? Most people are familiar with probiotics, while prebiotics is lesser-known.
“Prebiotics make their way into the small intestine and then the microbiome [where the gut bacteria lives] uses it to feed the gut bacteria”
Frank Lipman, MD
Prebiotics are the compounds in food – the fiber and starch that make it through the stomach and to the intestines where it feeds the existing bacteria and fungi. Yes, we have bacteria and fungi inside of us and they outnumber our human cells by about 10 to 1. There are 100 TRILLION (100,000,000,000) bacterial cells – some are good and some are bad. You need to feed the good ones for proper health. Unfortunately, many people’s diet doesn’t include good sources of prebiotics. If you experience some bloating when adding more prebiotics to your diet, this will typically resolve itself as your body adjusts to the diet change. (Click here for a list of prebiotics)
Probiotics are the bacteria that are found in fermented foods (see examples here) – a commonplace is yogurt that mentions live cultures. Live cultures contain many of the bacteria we need for a proper functioning gut microbiome. Believe it or not, vaginal birth is important to populating your microbiome. Sterilizing everything and overusing antibiotics doesn’t allow our body to get the bacteria it actually needs and doesn’t allow the immune system to get “educated”.
Both prebiotics and probiotics are important – prebiotics feed what you have and probiotics help populate and diversify the microbiome. Another place where diversity is important!
By including natural sources of prebiotics and probiotics in your diet, you’ll take better care of the ‘world inside you’ and it, in turn, will take better care of you!
Disclaimer: The information on this site is NOT medical advice. Please consult with a doctor or other professional as appropriate.