Did you know you carry about a trillion bacteria inside your body? Among these, the good or friendly bacteria in the body act like guards to keep away the harmful disease-causing bacteria. For instance, the good bacteria in the vagina prevent the growth of pathogens (disease-causing bacteria) by maintaining an acidic environment.
Excessive use of antibiotics, increased consumption of junk food and certain genetic factors may decrease the number of good bacteria leading to an imbalanced gut and weak immune system. But don’t worry! Probiotics and prebiotics are here to help you get back your lost friends—good bacteria.
What are probiotics and what do they do?
In 1907, Elie Metchnikoff, a Russian biologist, proposed that harmful microbes could be replaced with beneficial ones, thus giving rise to the term probiotic from the Greek word ‘pro’ meaning promoting, and ‘biotic’ meaning life.
Probiotics are live microorganisms (bacteria and yeast) that have health benefits and help prevent certain health conditions. Probiotics may contain bacteria (lactobacillus and bifidobacterium, etc.) and yeast such as Saccharomyces boulardii. Probiotics may be helpful in:
- Reducing digestive problems: Probiotics reduce the risk of diarrhea by 60%.
- Maintaining gastrointestinal health: Probiotics help improve stomach and intestinal disorders. They improve the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
- Reducing serum cholesterol: Certain strains of probiotics help decrease serum cholesterol.
- Reducing lactose intolerance symptoms: Probiotics alleviate the symptoms of lactose intolerance.
What are prebiotics and what do they do?
Prebiotics are plant fibres that your body can’t digest but gut bacteria can. Prebiotics are breakfast, lunch, and dinner for the friendly bacteria, helping them grow in the lower digestive tract. Besides providing food to bacteria, prebiotics.
Are probiotics and prebiotics the same?
No. While both probiotics and prebiotics help maintain a healthy colony of microorganisms and are good for your gut, they work via different mechanisms. The food components of prebiotics provide nutrients to the bacteria (probiotics) and create an environment that helps them flourish.
How to incorporate probiotics and prebiotics into your daily life?
You can quite easily incorporate this amazing duo into your daily life through food and supplements.
- Food: Probiotics can be obtained from yoghurt or fermented foods. Although the strains of probiotics in yoghurt are beneficial, only a few strains are present in it. This does not provide the full benefit as compared to supplements. Additionally, yogurt may contain added sugar that can cause more harm than good. On the other hand, prebiotics can be incorporated by eating fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.
- Supplements: Probiotic and prebiotic supplements are typically better than food-based sources as they incorporate beneficial bacteria in your gut in the required quantities. They help restore balance, boost immunity, and reduce the severity of allergies. The most important points to consider while choosing supplements are their quality and efficacy. The bacteria should reach your gut safely through your stomach acids.
Happy Cultures' Stellar Role – What's the Scoop?
At Happy Cultures, we're all about fostering the well-being of your microbial metropolis:
- Our mission is to empower your good bacteria and bolster your immune system.
- We champion the cause of maintaining a harmonious balance in your microbial city.
- We're dedicated to providing you with reliable information and top-quality products that promote the health of your friendly microcitizens.
In the grand scheme of things, probiotics and prebiotics are the ultimate allies, ensuring your digestive and immune systems are like a well-coordinated orchestra. With a daily dose of probiotics, you'll be nurturing your body's microbial metropolis regularly.
And hey, we're all about keeping it pure – our approach is free from artificial preservatives. So, let the microbial adventures commence!
