How Do Prebiotics and Probiotics Work Together?
Prebiotics and probiotics work together in a synergistic manner within the digestive tract to promote optimal gastrointestinal tract health. Understanding this relationship can help clarify how dietary choices and supplementation can support a balanced and healthy microbiome.
Synergy Between Prebiotics and Probiotics
The Role of Prebiotics in Gut Health
Prebiotics are non-digestible fibers found in certain foods, particularly fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.
These fibers serve as food for beneficial bacteria in the gastrointestinal tract, helping them to grow and thrive. They are the fuel that powers the growth and activity of probiotics.
The Role of Probiotics in Digestive Health and Beyond
Probiotics are live beneficial bacteria that, when consumed in adequate amounts, confer health benefits to the host.
These bacteria help balance the gastrointestinal tract microbiome, support digestion, boost the immune system, and can even influence mood and overall well-being.
How Prebiotics and Probiotics Work Together
Prebiotics and probiotics work together in two crucial ways:
1. Enhancing Probiotic Colonization:
Prebiotics create an optimal environment for probiotics to colonize and establish themselves in the gastrointestinal tract. When beneficial bacteria have ample food, they are more likely to grow and outcompete harmful bacteria.
2. Improving Gut Health:
The combination of prebiotics and probiotics supports a diverse and robust microbiome, which is essential for efficient digestion, nutrient absorption, and immune function.
Do you need to take both Prebiotics and Probiotics?
While prebiotics and probiotics can be taken as supplements, obtaining prebiotics through a healthy diet is generally recommended for several reasons:
1. Nutrient Variety: Fruits, vegetables, and legumes are natural sources of prebiotics, rich in prebiotic fibers like inulin, fructooligosaccharides (FOS), and galactooligosaccharides (GOS). These foods provide a variety of nutrients essential for overall health.
2. Holistic Health: A diet rich in prebiotic foods supports not only the growth of beneficial bacteria within the gastrointestinal tract but also provides vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that are important for overall health.
3. Simplicity and Accessibility: Incorporating prebiotic-rich foods into the diet is straightforward and doesn't necessarily require additional supplements.
Conversely, while fermented foods (like yogurt, sauerkraut, pickles, kombucha, miso, tempeh, sour cream, and cottage cheese) are excellent dietary sources of probiotics, some family members may not be able to tolerate them. As a result, many people choose to use probiotic supplements because they are soy-free, dairy-free, tasteless, and easy to store and use.
In summary, prebiotics and probiotics work together to support a healthy gut microbiome. Prebiotics, found naturally in a healthy diet, provide the necessary fuel for probiotics to flourish. While supplements are available, focusing on a balanced diet rich in prebiotic foods is the most effective and holistic approach to making the gastrointestinal tract ready for the probiotics to grow. Probiotics, found in fermented foods and dietary supplements, provide beneficial bacteria essential for digestive health. Probiotic supplements are particularly helpful for kids and other family members who cannot tolerate fermented foods.
Looking for a probiotic supplement formulated specifically for kids?
Raise Them Well’s Children’s Chewable Probiotic is physician-formulated with a spore-based probiotic complex blend that provides improved transport through the digestive system.
Our daily probiotic for kids is:
- Potent: Providing 5 billion CFUs of healthy bacteria per tablet
- Allergy-Friendly: Dairy-free, soy-free, gluten-free
- Free of Artificial Additives: No artificial flavors, sweeteners, preservatives, or bio-engineered ingredients
- Great-Tasting: Kids love the natural mixed berry flavor of our easy-to-chew tablets
Additional Information About Probiotics for Kids:
How to Choose Probiotics for Kids: 7 Tips to Help Parents Make the Best Choice
What Do Probiotics Do for Kids? 3 Key Benefits of Probiotics Every Parent Wants to Know
References:
Wieërs G, Belkhir L, Enaud R, et al. How probiotics affect the microbiota. Front Cell Infect Microbiol. 2020; 9:454.
Wilkins T, Sequoia J. Probiotics for gastrointestinal conditions: A summary of the evidence. Am Fam Physician. 2017; 96(3):170-8.
Lloyd-Price J, Abu-Ali G, Huttenhower C. The healthy human microbiome. Genome Med. 2016; 8(1):51.
NIH. Probiotics; 2022. Available from: https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Probiotics-HealthProfessional/#en3