By: Bishop Chanakira
Submitted: 2010-06-24 20:52:04 | Word Count: 710
Prebiotics Are NOT Probiotics.
In this newfangled, often tortuous field of food supplements, some people confuse probiotics with prebiotics and vice-versa, or think of both as one and the same. While that may not be very far from the truth, probiotics and prebiotics are not identical. Probiotics are the bacteria that reside in the intestines to help digest the ingested food, while prebiotics are the food for these bacteria. So they are associated but not related. Perhaps explanations will help.
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The digestive tract of all animals and humans contain microflora (microscopic plants) that help digest the food once it reaches the intestines or make them into waste matter. These microflora consist primarily of bacteria and yeasts that live together harmoniously at normal micro-environmental conditions. But when this condition is modified under certain circumstances and the beneficial microorganisms are reduced in number, an imbalance occurs and we get sick. Problems in the colon may develop, skin disorders could erupt, suddenly we are allergic to ordinary substances, feel tired often, and are effected in many other ways..
Taking probiotics would commonly solve this problem, as it should restore the balance between the 'good' and 'bad' microflora. Thus the normal functioning of the intestinal tract will resume, and the body will respond positively to the elimination of the malaise. 'Bad' bacteria such as the Clostridium difficile pathogen that thrives during and right after extended antibiotic ingestion, or the Giardia species that causes persistent diarrhea, are reduced to normal levels or forced out of the intestinal environment by the addition of more 'good' bacteria via the probiotics.
However, there are cases where the nutrient requirements of the probiotic bacteria introduced into the intestines are insufficient, maybe as after-effect of medical treatment or too-rapid elimination of intestinal contents, i.e., antibiotics and diarrhea, respectively. The probiotic bacteria may reproduce slowly, not at all, or some may even die off, so that the remaining bacteria's effects may be delayed until they are of adequate quantities. Thus taking prebiotics will allow the probiotics to grow rapidly and colonize the intestine for quicker recovery. In other words, the probiotics may sometimes need feeding themselves just like other organisms.
But what exactly are prebiotics? They may be characterized as the nutrients for the probiotic bacteria. They are really fructo-oligosaccharides also called as synbiotics, short-chain molecules of fructose sugar. They are generally insoluble by stomach acids and digestive juices, and therefore pass through the digestive system relatively unscathed until they reach the part where bacteria mostly resides, the small and large intestines. Thus the ingestion of prebiotics and probiotics combined will ensure the maximization of benefits they provide, particularly after suffering ailments where the probiotics may have been affected negatively.
Not only do probiotics benefit the digestive system. Studies have also indicated that having the correct bacterial balance in the intestines also corrects the balance in the mouth, skin and genital areas. The entire body positively gains with the use of prebiotics and probiotics through correcting the balance, maintaining it, and preventing pathogens from establishing themselves again in the body systems.
Author Resource:-Probiotics supplements are a great way to keep your digestive system healthy as well as your overall health. Prebiotics will help the good bacteria survive in the harsh environment in the stomach and intestines.
