All you need to know about Prebiotics and Probiotics

What are probiotics?

Probiotics 

• are foods or supplements that contain live microorganisms intended to maintain or improve the "good" bacteria in the body and help keep your body healthy and working well. 

• Probiotics are made of good live bacteria and/or yeasts that naturally live in your body. 

Prebiotics 

• are foods, mainly high-fiber foods, that act as food for human microflora and improve the balance of these microorganisms.

• Prebiotics are in foods such as whole grains, bananas, greens, onions, garlic, soybeans and artichokes. 

What can I eat to increase probiotics in my body?

You can increase the number of good microbes in your body through foods, drinks and supplements. 

The most common fermented foods that naturally contain probiotics, or have probiotics added to them, include yogurt, kefir, kombucha, sauerkraut, pickles, miso, tempeh, kimchi, sourdough bread and some cheeses

Apart from food, you can add probiotics to your diet through dietary supplements. 

• Probiotic supplements may be combined with a prebiotic. They help feed the good bacteria and keep it healthy. Prebiotics include inulin, pectin and resistant starches.

• When you have a supplement that combines a probiotic and prebiotic, it’s called a symbiotic.

What are the benefits of taking a probiotic supplement?

• Supports a healthy digestion.

• Balances the gut microbiome by promoting the growth of good bacteria

• Help Prevent and Treat Diarrhea

• Help Reduce Symptoms of Certain Digestive Disorders

• Contributes to a healthy immune system 

• Help support the cells that line your gut to prevent bad bacteria that you may have consumed (through food or drinks) from entering your blood.

Some conditions can be helped by increasing the amount of probiotics in your body (through food or supplements) and they include: Diarrhea, constipation, Inflammatory bowel syndrome (IBS), Urinary tract infections, lactose intolerance and eczema. 

Are probiotics safe?

Because microbes used as probiotics already exist naturally in your body, probiotic foods and supplements are generally considered safe. They may cause mild stomach upset, diarrhea, or flatulence (passing gas) and bloating for the first few days after starting to take them.

Always talk to your healthcare provider before starting a probiotic supplement.

Do I need to take probiotics after taking antibiotics?

Antibiotic medications are often needed to fight an infection. However, while antibiotics are killing the bad bacteria, they are also knocking out the good bacteria in your body. Some people develop conditions like diarrhea after taking an antibiotic. 

Research has shown a positive connection between taking probiotics after an antibiotic and relief from diarrhea. 

What about Happy Tummy Gummies?

Happy Tummy Gummies are natural and vegan symbiotic (prebiotic + probiotic) supplements that provide a convenient and delicious chewable alternative to traditional tablets and capsules.

With a blueberry cherry flavor each serving of Happy Tummy Vitamin Gummies packs 2 billion live cultures of good bacteria and prebiotics, to help balance the gut microbiome.  

by Cynthia Bou Khalil

Cynthia Bou Khalil, MSc, RD is a Clinical Dietitian, Nutritionist and bariatric counselor, Bou Khalil is an expert in supporting people meet their health goals through nutrition and she also teaches at prestigious universities across the Middle East. She's currently the co-founder of @healthylicious_uae a unique meal plan company that caters home-made, healthy and delicious meals made with fresh and premium ingredients.