What is the difference between pre and probiotics? This is a question I get asked a lot. They are both part of the great balancing act going on within the gut microbiome (see G – gut for more information on this topic).
If we think of our microbiome like a garden that we need to tend and look after, the PRO biotics, or good bacteria, are the plants and flowers which grow there, and the PRE biotics are the fertiliser that needs spread about so the garden can grow and flourish. Often prebiotics are sold as Inulin, Chicory and FOS. However, people who have IBS or other digestive issues may not be able to tolerate prebiotics immediately so it would be advisable to get checked out first, as they have been known to aggravate symptoms.
Probiotics on the other hand are fairly well tolerated across the board and can help with many health complaints including digestive issues, skin conditions, urinary infections and candida overgrowth. It is worth nothing that they should always be taken after antibiotics. Antibiotics are often necessary, but act like carpet bombers on the microbiome taking out good and bad bacteria. Putting probiotics into the system after your course of antibiotics helps to reset the balance and promote good bacteria back into the gut.
If taking a supplement aim to take a probiotic with at least 20 billion for an optimal dose.