Saturday, February 24, 2024

What Is A Good Prebiotic And Probiotic

Best On The Go: Renew Life Ultimate Flora Probiotic Extra Care Go

[Prebiotics vs.Probiotics] Difference Between Prebiotics And Probiotics Dr.Berg
  • Improves digestive balance with 12 probiotic strains

  • Delayed-release design survives stomach acid

  • No refrigeration necessary

  • Effects may be subtle

A major obstacle when it comes to staying consistent with taking probiotics is that many of them need to be refrigerated. Refrigeration keeps bacteria viable and supports overall efficacy. Finding a probiotic that ensures potency not just at the time of manufacture, but at the time of purchase is difficult.

Renew Lifes On The Go Probiotic takes away the stress of refrigeration. Renew Lifes Extra Care probiotics provide 50 billion live cultures from 12 different probiotic strains, designed to re-establish digestive balance. Ensuring quality and potency through expiration, Renew Lifes capsules are designed to be delayed-release, making sure the contents make it past the acidic environment of the stomach. As a bonus, these probiotics do not need to be refrigerated, a plus when shipments might be delayed, routines are disrupted by travel or emergency times without refrigeration.

Type: Capsules | Colony Forming Units: 50 billion | Dosage: 1 daily | Certified: Non-GMO, gluten-free, soy-free, dairy-free

Price at time of publish: $20

Why Should You Buy A Prebiotic

A prebiotic is a nutrient-rich and non-digestible supplement that helps to improve gut health and function. It stays in your gut for a longer period and provides food for good bacteria in your gut. By supporting the conditions that probiotics live in, the benefits include boosting immunity and improved wellbeing. Prebiotic fiber helps maintain hormonal balances, blood sugar levels, and appetite regulation.

The Health Spectrum Of The Microbiome: What Are The Benefits Of Probiotics

I wrote an article titled Mental Health Starts in the Gut, Not the Brain. As you will see, we are just beginning to see how significant our bacterial populations are with our health.

Grains

According to microbiome researcher Jeff Leach Whole grain consumption seems to be associated with high levels of a type of bacteria called prevotella. Prevotella has been associated with inflammation in HIV patients and its been associated with rheumatoid arthritis. We dont know why that is, so the jurys still out on whole grains.

Food Allergies

The peanut allergy rise has currently been blamed on the hygiene theory. Basically, we are too clean and too quick to use antibiotics. Our immune system is not given a chance to be exercised and made stronger and therefore overreacts.

More specifically, evidence points towards poor gut flora as being the cause. One study in the Journal of Immunology found that an extract taken from E. Coli which is a bacteria in our gut and becomes a problem when not kept in check broke down the peanut proteins where the enzymes failed, and practically eliminated the allergenic response. I imagine it is the collective work of many different strains of bacteria that eliminate this response altogether.

About 35% of children with moderate to severe atopic dermatitis have skin symptoms provoked by food hypersensitivity.

Oral Health and Migraines

Cardiovascular Health

Nerve Health

Type 2 Diabetes

Mental Health

Weight Loss

Sleep

Also Check: Gerber Good Start Soothe Probiotic Drops

How Does Food Affect The Gut Microbiota

The food you eat plays an important role in the balance of good and bad gut bacteria.

For example, a high sugar and high fat diet negatively influences the gut bacteria and may contribute to insulin resistance and other conditions (

One of the things your good gut bacteria do with prebiotic fiber is turn it into a short-chain fatty acid called butyrate.

Studies suggest that butyrate production in the colon cannot be maintained without adequate intake of prebiotic fiber .

Summary:

Prebiotics are types of fiber that humans cannot digest, but your gut bacteria can. These types of fiber provide nutrients to the bacteria that support healthy digestion and immune function.

How To Choose A Probiotic

This Simple Graphic Explains the Difference Between Probiotics and ...

There are a few key factors to keep in mind when shopping for a probiotic supplement:

  • Intended use: Probiotics are designed to address many health concerns. For example, some are specifically formulated to support digestive health, immune function, or reproductive health.
  • CFU count: The number of colony-forming units in a probiotic supplement refers to the amount of live bacteria it contains. Most supplements provide 110 billion CFU per serving, though this can vary.
  • Storage needs: Most probiotics are shelf-stable and can be stored at room temperature, while others require refrigeration because they are more sensitive to heat and moisture.
  • Third-party testing: Selecting a probiotic that has been tested by an independent lab or certified by a third-party organization, such as NSF International, can help verify its safety, quality, and strength.
  • Dietary restrictions: Some products may be certified gluten-free or vegan, which is a key consideration for those with strict dietary needs.

Remember that no two microbiomes are the same and probiotics may affect people differently. For this reason, it could take some trial and error to find a supplement that works for you.

A healthcare professional can offer personalized recommendations based on your needs to help you find a product thats right for you.

Also Check: I Lost Weight With Probiotics

Prebiotic Benefits: What They Can Do For You

Other than serving as nutrition for probiotics, supporting your gut health, and enhancing your immune system prebiotics have additional benefits when you consume them.

Some of the health benefits of prebiotics include:

  • Enhancing mineral absorption, potential anti-cancer properties, anti-inflammatory, and other immune-assisting effects. A 2011 study in the Journal of Clinical Gastroenterology reported on these findings.
  • Encouraging normal blood sugar levels. A 2013 study in the journal Endocrine Practice found that prebiotics may be beneficial for prediabetes and type 2 diabetes.
  • Aiding weight loss. A 2002 study in The British Journal of Nutrition found that prebiotic foods promote a feeling of fullness, which helps prevent obesity and aids weight loss.
  • Boosting bone health. A 2007 study in The Journal of Nutrition found that prebiotics enhance the absorption of minerals in the body, including magnesium and possibly iron and calcium which are all necessary for strong bones.

Gut Check Do You Have Enough Friendly Gut Bacteria

In a healthy state, you can trust your gut to do all theright things for you. Since you already have a good composition of friendlybacteria, you wont need pre- or probiotics.

Americans, unfortunately, dont always live in a healthy state, Dr. Cresci notes. People dont eat the 25 to 35 grams of fiber that the gut bacteria need to survive and replicate.

For some people, it may not be a lack of fiber, but rather a chronic disease that results in not enough friendly bacteria in the GI tract. Gut dysbiosis refers to the bad state of the friendly intestinal bacteria in people whose condition may negatively affect the blend of good intestinal bacteria, she says.

Also Check: Gerber Soothe Probiotic Drops With Vitamin D

Do You Need To Take Probiotic Supplements

If you suffer from chronic constipation, diarrhea, or other gastrointestinal distress and your physician recommends taking something, says David Poppers, M.D.,Ph.D., a gastroenterologist at NYU Langone.

Everyone else can save their money, because theres no evidence that probiotic supplements offer any benefit to already healthy people, says Gilbert

The research is “in the pipeline,” but it’s “not there yet,” says Doerfler.

Microorganisms And Our Health

Prebiotics & probiotics

While the term microorganism refers to all types of microbes, we are going to focus primarily on bacteria. When we think about the bacteria that colonize, or live in, our intestinal tract, we typically sort them into two categories: beneficial strains of bacteria , including those in the genera Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus, and potential disease-causing strains of bacteria , including enteropathogenic and enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli, Shigella, and Clostridioides difficile. While its much more complex than this, it is an easy way to sort which bacteria will generally improve our health or harm us. Beneficial bacteria keep pathogens in check and offer many health benefits. Disease-causing bacteria release proteins and toxic by-products that can cause inflammation and harmful symptoms such as diarrhea. Some, such as Helicobacter pylori, can be both beneficial in certain quantities and harmful in other quantities.

The balance between beneficial and harmful bacteria is important for maintaining health. The diversity, or different types of microorganisms, of our gut microbiome is critical greater diversity allows our gut to be resilient and bounce back from any disturbances to the balance. Several factors can upset this balance, including diet, stress, hygiene, and medications, particularly antibiotics. Dysbiosis occurs when there are shifts in the balance of the microbiota.

Also Check: Best Probiotic Supplement For Ibs D

Best Overall: Garden Of Life Dr Formulated Probiotics For Women

  • Contains 16 diverse probiotic strains

  • Includes a blend of prebiotic fiber

  • May cause gas or bloating for some

Who else recommends it? Prevention and Healthline both picked the Garden of Life Dr. Formulated Probiotics For Women.

What do buyers say? 92% of 38,100+ Amazon reviewers rated this product 4 stars or above.

Beloved by myself and fellow dietician nutritionists alike, these probiotics for women are one of the best out there. They contain 50 billion Colony Forming Units with 16 diverse, specially-selected probiotic strains. Among them are Lactobacilli and Bifidobacteriatwo strains that are resistant to stomach acid and bileto help boost immune, digestive, and vaginal health. There is also a prebiotic fiber blend of organic potato and organic acacia fiber to help boost the results. The capsules are non-GMO, gluten-, dairy-, and soy-free, as well as vegetarian.

As an added benefit, they are also shelf-stable, meaning you don’t have to keep them refrigerated between uses. This is an ideal perk for women on the goall you have to do is stash it into your purse, gym bag, or carry-on.

Type: Capsules | Colony Forming Units: 50 billion | Dosage: 1 daily | Certified: Gluten-free, dairy-free, soy-free, vegetarian

Price at time of publish: $28

May Support Weight Loss

Some studies suggest that chicory root fiber may regulate appetite and decrease overall calorie intake, possibly leading to weight loss.

A 12-week study in 48 adults with excess weight determined that taking 21 grams per day of chicory-derived oligofructose, which is very similar to inulin, led to a significant, 2.2-pound average reduction in body weight while the placebo group gained weight .

This study also found that oligofructose helped decrease levels of ghrelin, a hormone that stimulates feelings of hunger .

Other research has yielded similar results but mostly tested inulin or oligofructose supplements not chicory root fiber .

summary

Chicory root fiber may aid weight loss by reducing appetite and curbing calorie intake, though more studies are necessary.

Also Check: Where Can I Buy Biofit Probiotic

The Two Worlds Of The Best Probiotics And Prebiotics

The word probiotics is derived from Latin and Greek, and literally means for life. The way we get probiotics is from the dirt, unwashed food and fermented foods and drinks. The bacteria in the dirt are different than the bacteria in fermented food.

We have put a lot of focus and research on the probiotic strains including lactobacilli and bifidobacterium, but have neglected many of those found in dirt. These are the ones we are exposed to as children when we stick our hands in the dirt and then our mouths.

Many people also havent heard of prebiotics. Prebiotics have been found to alter the neuroendocrine response, decreasing anxiety, and depression. Prebiotics are the fiber component of plants that help feed the probiotics and help them colonize.

Certain people have a lower prebiotic production in their body due to the FUT2 gene found in the Nutrition Genome Report, and therefore require more of these foods to help colonization. This is especially true when multiple rounds of antibiotics have been used. Therefore, prebiotics and probiotics are necessary for a happy, diverse microbiome.

Tiger Nuts are a food that have made a come back to the market from the Paleolithic age, a prebiotic that companies claim comprised 80% of our pre-human ancestors diet about two million years ago. Dandelion greens, kiwi, garlic, leeks, radicchio, garlic, artichokes, bananas, yacon syrup, asparagus, pistachios and chicory root are all examples of prebiotics.

Choosing The Best Probiotic For You

Align DualBiotic Prebiotic + Probiotic Supplement for Adult Men &  Women ...

When choosing a probiotic dietary supplement, we recommend looking for a product that:

Contains live and active cultures that are naturally found in the human body. The product must have this listed on the label.

Include mindfully selected strains that have been tested in laboratory and clinical trials Certain probiotics have different functions, so its helpful to look for formulations that address your health goals. For example, Omni-Biotic Stress Release is designed to support the gut-brain axis and the bodys stress response.

Is based on research, testing, and controlled clinical studies to show efficacy. Ideally, the product should also be free of common allergens, vegan, and include non-GMO ingredients.

Is manufactured in a way that ensures the probiotics arrive safely in your intestines where they can do their important work. For example, Omni-Biotic probiotics are made as a daily powder that you dissolve in water, which is much more effective than a probiotic pill or capsule.

A high-quality, multi-strain, and multi-species probiotic supplement can help you maintain a healthy balance of good gut bacteria, supporting gut health, optimal digestion, and overall wellbeing.

Recommended Reading: Is Acidophilus Probiotic Good For You

More Strains And Their Function

The majority of the research so far has been done on lactobacillus and bifidobacterium. Other strains like Lactococcus, Enterococcus, Saccharomyces, S. Boulardii and Propionibacterium also have unique health-promoting effects.

What about soil-based probiotics like Prescript-Assist?

It is my understanding that many of these strains havent been studied yet besides bacillus. I think our understanding of the microbiome is in its infancy, and we have 8 million bacterial genes to work through compared to 22,000 genes in the human genome.

Another thought Ive had about these types of soil-based organisms, is how do they change in terms of types and ratios from soil to soil, country to country? In other words, how does each unique human microbiome respond to a standard formula?

Which demographics are going to do well and which ones may have a bad reaction? What are the pros and cons to altering the microbiome with these strains and ratios daily? How long should it be used and should it be rotated?

I think we are definitely missing soil exposure by not eating directly from the land and getting our hands and feet in the dirt, but Id like to see more research looking at environmental diversity, individual strain research and human studies before recommending a standardized soil-based organism formula for a wide population of people.

Garden Of Life Dr Formulated Probiotics For Women At A Glance

Strains:Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus casei, Lactobacillus paracasei, Lactobacillus bulgaricus, Lactobacillus brevis, Lactobacillus reuteri, Lactobacillus salivarius, Lactobacillus fermentum, Lactobacillus gasseri, Lactobacillus rhamnosus, Bifidobacterium lactis, Bifidobacterium bifidum, Bifidobacterium breve, Bifidobacterium infantis, Bifidobacterium longum

CFU count: 50 billion

  • Type: vegetarian capsules

The multi-strain probiotic blend in Culturelle Womens Health Balance works naturally with a womans body to support vaginal, digestive, and immune health.

It also helps to maintain an optimal balance of good bacteria in the body, thanks to the inclusion of the Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG strain .

The convenient once-daily capsules are also gelatin-free, vegan-friendly, and made without gluten, sugar, dairy, or soy.

Whats more, Culturelle is certified by NSF International, a third-party organization that tests supplements for strength, safety, and quality.

Read Also: Phillips Colon Health Probiotic Ingredients

Drink Plenty Of Water

Water plays multiple roles in the body including supporting digestion, nutrient absorption, and your ability to burn fat for energy . In fact, without water, your body cannot properly metabolize fat and carbohydrates.

Being even mildly dehydrated can negatively impact gut function, brain function, mood, heart health, and energy levels . And while you can get water from food and other beverages, there is no better source than water itself.

Learn how much water you need to drink each day with this simple water intake calculator.

How We Chose The Best Probiotic Supplements

The difference between prebiotics and probiotics

We selected the best probiotics using the following criteria:

  • Vetting: All the products have been vetted to ensure that they meet Healthlines medical and business standards.
  • Effective dose: All the supplements below contain at least 106 CFUs per gram.
  • Ingredients: We looked for products that are made from high quality ingredients and free of artificial additives and fillers.
  • Personal needs: Whether you need a specific probiotic strain or follow a gluten-free diet, we included options to suit a variety of needs and preferences.

Read Also: Does Probiotic Acidophilus Help You Lose Weight

Probiotics And Prebiotics: Whats The Difference

Probiotics and prebiotics are both pretty big topics in nutrition these days. Yet even though they sound similar, the two play different roles in your health.

Probiotics are beneficial bacteria, and prebiotics are food for these bacteria. Well explain what you need to know about the two.

Both prebiotics and probiotics are important for human health. However, they have different roles:

  • Probiotics. These are live bacteria found in certain foods or supplements. They can provide numerous health benefits.
  • Prebiotics. These substances come from types of carbs that humans cant digest. The beneficial bacteria in your gut eat this fiber.

The gut bacteria, collectively referred to as the gut flora, or gut microbiota, perform many important functions in the body.

Eating balanced amounts of both probiotics and prebiotics can help ensure that you have the right balance of these bacteria to keep your gut microbiota healthy.

Summary:

Probiotics are beneficial bacteria found in certain foods or supplements. Prebiotics are types of fiber that feed the friendly bacteria in the digestive system.

The good bacteria in your digestive tract help protect you from harmful bacteria and fungi.

A ).

Additionally, some of your gut bacteria form vitamin K and short-chain fatty acids.

Summary:

The gut bacteria help with a variety of biological tasks. They also provide important nutrition to the cells lining your digestive tract.

Popular Articles
Related news