Probiotics (also known as microflora) are live, “friendly” bacteria that inhabit your body. They help keep you in good health by crowding out and fighting harmful bacteria.
Probiotics work by balancing your gut bacteria, helping you to digest food and absorb nutrients from it. Probiotics also boost your immune system and support digestive health.
Some of the benefits of probiotics include:
Helping with digestion. Your gut is home to trillions of bacteria—good and bad—that play an important role in your digestion. If you have too many bad germs, it can lead to diarrhea, constipation or other digestive problems like gas and bloating.
Preventing infections. A healthy balance of gut bacteria helps prevent infections like E. coli or salmonella by keeping bad germs under control.
Boosting immunity. Your immune system depends on healthy gut bacteria for protection against viruses and other harmful germs that cause illness and disease.
Improving nutrient absorption. Probiotics help your body absorb nutrients, especially B vitamins and vitamin K.
Strengthening the immune system. Probiotics can help keep your immune system strong by producing antibodies that fight off harmful invaders like viruses and bacteria.
What Are Prebiotics?
Prebiotics are non-digestible food ingredients that help support the growth of good bacteria in your gut. They’re found in foods like raw garlic and onions, as well as bananas, artichokes and whole grains. Prebiotics also help you absorb more calcium from dairy products.
How Do Probiotics Work?
Probiotics are living organisms that have a positive impact on your health by helping to improve digestion and immune function. They do this by colonizing your gastrointestinal tract, where they compete with harmful bacteria for space and nutrients. This allows good bacteria to grow and flourish, crowding out the bad stuff. Probiotics can also help with allergy symptoms and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
Probiotics come in many forms, including capsules, liquids and foods that contain live cultures. They’re often added to yogurts and other fermented foods, such as kefir. You can also find probiotics in supplements.
Are There Any Supplements With Both Probiotics and Prebiotics?
There are a few supplements that contain both prebiotics and probiotics. One example is the supplement Seed. Seed pills contain 25 different strains of probiotics and prebiotics. The supplement also contains natural fiber, which helps maintain a healthy digestive tract. There is a Seed pills discount that is available on their official website.