While both probiotics and prebiotics have been widely studied and used, increased usage of prebiotics in recent times has reflected a greater understanding of their multi-faceted benefits to human health. They sound similar and some may even confuse one for the other. Read on to understand the functions of each.<\/p>\n
Probiotics are defined by the International Scientific Association for Probiotics and Prebiotics (ISAPP) as live microorganisms that, when administered in adequate amounts, confer a health benefit on the host. [1] In essence, probiotic supplements contain good gut bacterial species, including\u00a0Bifidobacterium<\/em>\u00a0and\u00a0Lactobacillus<\/em>\u00a0species. [2]<\/p>\n On the other hand, prebiotics are defined by ISAPP as substrates that are selectively utilized by the host microorganisms conferring a health benefit. [3] To put it simply, prebiotics act as food for the good gut bacteria to provide health benefits.<\/p>\n Prebiotics such as resistant starches and various types of oligosaccharides resist digestion from our human body\u2019s enzymes and travel to the colon largely unchanged.<\/p>\n Our gut microbiota in the colon and the probiotic supplements we take will then feed on and ferment the prebiotics. This fermentation process produces metabolites such as short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) that confer health benefits such as providing a main source of energy for our colon cells and having anti-inflammatory properties. [4]<\/p>\n Watch the videos from ISAPP below to learn more.<\/p>\nWhat is a probiotic?<\/strong><\/h3>\n