Details; Probiotics And Prebiotics
Probiotics and prebiotics are medical terms often associated with food and good digestive function. These words are mostly interchanged and even become sources of confusion due to their closely similar spelling and pronunciation. However, these are two different words that are conceptually related but are different entities.
Probiotics are microbes that bring benefits into the body, particularly to the gastrointestinal system. They can be bacteria, fungi and other type of microorganisms that keep the large intestine fully functional and in good condition. These probiotics are actually part of the natural microflora but some people don’t have sufficient amount of these good microorganisms to fight other microbes that causes disease known as pathogens. Hence, several scientists created food supplements that contain probiotics to promote good digestive function and keep the micro-environment within a balance state. The two groups of microorganisms that are commonly used for probiotic purpose are the bifidobacteria and lactic acid bacteria. Their presence in the gastrointestinal system creates an unfavorable environment for harmful microbes like the proteolytic bacteria (produce toxins that harm the gut). The lactic acid bacteria increase acidity in the gut while the bifidobacteria compete with the proteolytic bacteria in terms of living space and nutrition; thereby, survival and growth of bad bacteria is almost impossible.
Some of the probiotics popular to the public are Lactobacillus acidophilus, Bifidobacterium breve and E. coli (Escherichia coli). These are just few of the good microbes and there are too many of them left unmentioned. Mostly, these names are imprinted on the labels of food supplements like Yakult, Actimel, ProBactrix and many more that claim to be containing probiotics.
Proteolytic bacteria and their detrimental effects to the body is just one of the microbes that probiotics are getting rid of. Any other microbes that have damaging effects into the gastrointestinal system including yeasts are also viable targets. These probiotics also prevent development of colon malignancy by binding with the free-radicals (carcinogens) generated from cooked meat. Likewise, the risk for acquiring infection and other inflammatory diseases decreases as the good microorganisms are capable of enhancing the body defense system. These pro-life microbes also take part in trimming down the level of blood cholesterol and high blood pressure as well.
Despite of their different functions, probiotics and prebiotics are working towards one path, which is to keep the gut healthy and well-functioning. Generally, probiotics are the pro-life microbes that reside in the gut. They are also used to fortify and make some foods gut-friendly. On the other hand, prebiotics enhances the function of the good microbes by feeding them. Prebiotics are substances coming from foods like wheat, onion, asparagus, chicory root and other fruits and vegetables. These substances cannot be digested easily by the gut and are solely useful for probiotics as their food. Prebiotics consumption is the same as getting the warriors in the gut feed up; warriors that are eager to protect the gut from pathogens even to the cost of their own lives.
Overall, probiotics carry out their functions efficiently when they are well nourished with the help of prebiotics. Without proper nutrition, these good microorganisms would be incapable of defeating the harmful ones. Probiotics and prebiotics must always go together because the existence of one of them would be useless without the other. Therefore, consume foods that have these components to prevent gastrointestinal diseases. However, make sure to consult a doctor if these food supplements seem unfamiliar. These are beneficial for those who truly need them but medical advice is almost always necessary to ensure health safety. Bear in mind that not all health products are indicated for everyone.
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