What are probiotics and prebiotics? Should I take probiotics and prebiotics? Are probiotics better than prebiotics?
We aim to answer all of your questions...
Prebiotics, on the other hand, are a food source for probiotics. A prebiotic is a complex carbohydrate which selectively stimulates the growth of good (probiotic) bacteria in the body. Prebiotics can be naturally found in foods such as leeks, onions, and Jerusalem artichokes.
Both probiotics and prebiotic supplements have been linked to healthy digestion, good immunity, and increased energy levels.
Probiotics without prebiotics
The benefit of taking probiotics as opposed to prebiotics is that if the body does not have enough, or the right types of probiotics, it is more useful to take a probiotic supplement instead of simply a prebiotic which will stimulate growth of any probiotics already in the system. A very small minority of people find that prebiotics do not agree with their system, and therefore prefer to take probiotics alone.
Probiotics and prebiotics
The benefit of taking probiotics with prebiotics is that you are effectively covering both grounds - replenishing the body's good bacteria, and also feeding the probiotics - for a longer lasting effect.
Prebiotics without Probiotics
Some people find that certain types of prebiotics can be beneficial for certain conditions such as constipation (others may find that a combination works better, or that probiotics alone work for them too)
At the end of the day, different people have different bacterial make-ups, and therefore find that different solutions work for them. At OptiBac we currently offer products with either probiotics alone, or products with a combination of probiotics and prebiotics.
