That's the difference between probiotics and prebiotics

There is a good chance that you are familiar with probiotics (at least sufficiently aware of the supply of Greek yogurt at the grocery store or the pill at the pharmacy).

However, when it comes to the health of your intestines, it's actually the balance between two types of bacteria – probiotics and prebiotics – that keeps everything running as it should.

"There is a balance between [bacteria] homeostasis, "said Ashkan Farhadi, a gastroenterologist at the MemorialCare Orange Coast Medical Center and director of the MemorialCare Group's Digestive Disease Treatment Project in Fountain Valley, California. When this homeostasis becomes unbalanced, it is important to restore it by providing the body with good bacteria that then contribute to bowel health, said Farhadi.

Enter probiotics and prebiotics, which you can get through a diet and supplements.

But taking a cup of Chobani alone will not solve the problem. There are specific ways to balance your intestinal health with probiotics and prebiotics, and multiple ways to get them from what you consume.

Here's an easy way to keep probiotics and prebiotics faithful regarding their function in the body: "Probiotics are" good "bacteria that are introduced into the gut to grow and thrive," Erin said. Palinski-Wade, dietician and author. "Prebiotics are essentially a food for these good bacteria." This means that they help stimulate and stimulate the growth of probiotic bacteria already present in the body, acting as a fertilizer.

"It's essential to have both prebiotics and probiotics to promote intestinal health," added Palinksi-Wade.

Probiotics help maintain the balance of intestinal bacteria by limiting the growth of bad bacteria, said Alan Schwartzstein, a family doctor practicing in Oregon, Wisconsin. "Probiotics compete with these" bad "bacteria for prebiotic foods and do not allow them to multiply and cause us harm."

When there is a balanced amount of probiotics and prebiotics in the body, your digestive health is able to hum.

This bacterial balance is also beneficial to your overall health, said Palinski-Wade. A good amount of probiotics in the body contributes to vaginal health. A healthy gut contributes to the strength of the immune system and the health of the heart and brain. In addition, research published in Medicina has linked healthy gut bacteria to a healthy weight, reducing inflammation and stabilizing blood glucose levels.

A simple sign indicates whether your bowel has enough prebiotics and probiotics. "Those who have an intestinal imbalance will have symptoms such as increased bowel sensitivity or changes in their bowel habits," said Farhadi. This means problems like diarrhea, constipation and excess gas.

You do not have to wait for these unpleasant symptoms to begin to take a probiotic. Whether you do it with a diet or supplements, prebiotics and probiotics can be used by anyone to proactively maintain bowel health, said Farhadi.

For example, in his own practice, Farhadi recommends the patient to eat a tablespoon of Greek yogurt (containing probiotics) sprinkled with Metamucil (containing prebiotics) in order to restore the intestinal balance.

Schwartzstein added that most people can get enough probiotics in their daily diet at no extra charge. This includes eating foods like yogurt (make sure the label says "live active cultures" or the full name of the bacteria), soy-based beverages, soft cheeses like Gouda and miso. There is one major exception in which larger amounts of bacteria may be needed.

"There are circumstances that can cause fewer probiotics in our digestive system; the most common is when we take antibiotics, "said Schwartzstein. "These antibiotics kill the healthy bacteria in our intestines that serve as probiotics, while eliminating the harmful bacteria that cause the infection." (This is also why most doctors prescribe antibiotics only if they are convinced that a patient has an infection caused by an infection, by bacteria as opposed to a virus, such as a cold.)

In these cases, you may need to take a probiotic supplement until the end of your antibiotic treatment. Talk to your doctor to make sure you are taking the right strain and be aware that taking a probiotic supplement can result in side effects such as gas and bloating, said Schwartzstein.

For prebiotics, Palinski-Wade said that a high-fiber diet and herbal food is a good way to make sure that you consume enough. Sources of prebiotics include garlic, vegetables, fruits and legumes.

If you think you are not consuming enough probiotics or prebiotics in your diet, you may be inclined to take a supplement. In the case of prebiotics, any psyllium product (such as Metamucil) can be used because the fiber plays the role of prebiotic in the body. Probiotics are a bit more complicated because many strains of probiotic bacteria may be beneficial under certain conditions.

"Our research is so limited in this area," Farhadi said. "Currently, the recommendation is based on individual experiences."

Farhadi often said that a doctor could ask a patient to start a probiotic and see if it was helpful. Otherwise, they can go from one brand to another and from a different bacterial strain until they find the solution that suits them. Talk to your doctor before trying anything – he will make sure you are on the right path.