Two of the most interesting and effective types of nutritional supplements to hit the market in the last several years are probiotics and prebiotics. The two are related to one another, but they aren’t the same.

Probiotics, for example, are live bacteria that you can ingest. They will past through the digestive tract to the intestine. These bacteria are the same type of bacteria that are often found naturally in your digestive system. These bacteria perform a number of important functions. Probiotics help with the digestive process. Probiotics help with the absorption of nutrients. They also help with the absorption of minerals. They help to boost the immune system, and to bring an overall balance to the environment inside of the digestive tract.

You can find this kind of bacteria in certain foods, including sauerkraut and yogurt. You can also purchase probiotic supplements that contain only the specific type of probiotic that you may need. Some probiotics, for example, are thought to be able to help colic in babies. Others are thought to help digestion and prevent or treat diarrhea.

Prebiotics, on the other hand, are not bacteria. They are specific nutrients, usually non-absorbable carbohydrates like fructo- and oligo-saccharides, which can be found naturally occurring in whole grains, fruits and legumes. They benefit a person by stimulating the bacteria in the digestive tract, to either grow or become more active, thereby increasing digestive health.

Probiotics and prebiotics aren’t meant, of course, to replace medical treatments. If you have a serious medical condition, it’s best to speak with your health care provider about the best way to treat that condition.

Posted in Health and Well-Being

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