Probiotics v Prebiotics: The basics

Bacteria live naturally in your gut (Colon) and these microorganisms perform a host of useful functions, such as fermenting unused energy substrates, training the immune system, preventing growth of harmful, pathogenic bacteria, regulating the development of the gut, producing vitamins for the host and producing hormones to direct the host to store fats.

Poor diet and other factors, like antibiotics, may cause a bacterial imbalance that results in growth of bad bacteria and yeast which is thought to be linked to irritable bowel syndrome and rheumatoid arthritis.

Prebiotics and Probiotics:

Prebiotics and probiotics can renovate the balance of bacteria in your gut.

Probiotics are beneficial bacteria that can be found in various foods.  Eating probiotics will add healthy microorganisms to your intestinal tract.

Common strains include Lactobacillis and Bifidobacterium families of bacteria.

"Sources of probiotic bacteria like lactobacilli are found in fermented foods like sauerkraut and yogurt.  Some foods will have added probiotics as healthy nutritional ingredients, which will be on the ingredient listing on the label"

Prebiotics are non-digestible foods, like fibre, that help good bacteria grow and flourish.

Prebiotics keep beneficial bacteria healthy.

"Sources of prebiotics, like oligosaccharides, include fruits, legumes, and whole grains"