Six Practical Uses of Prebiotics and Probiotics

Prebiotics and Probiotics - An Introduction

Probiotics are live microorganisms that are beneficial to health. Prebiotics, on the other hand, are edible non-digestible substances that promote the growth of intestinal bacteria. They are both known for their therapeutic properties and health benefits and are consumed by a large number of people.

Practical Uses of Prebiotics and Probiotics

1. Antibiotic-Associated Diarrhea (AAD) - AAD is caused when antibiotics disrupt the microbial balance in the intestine. It typically occurs after a long course of antibiotics. Studies show that both pro and prebiotics can be effective in treating and preventing AAD. They should be started at the time antibiotic drugs are prescribed and should be continued for at least a month.

2. Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) - Pro and prebiotics can be used for maintenance of remission of inflammatory bowel diseases like Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.

Multispecies probiotic formulations and inulin prebiotics are generally considered effective at maintaining remission.

3. Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) - IBS is a functional gastrointestinal disorder characterized by diarrhea, constipation, flatulence, chronic abdominal pain, and bloating. Prebiotics and probiotics can be used to reduce the severity of the symptoms. If a person responds positively to the treatment, pre and probiotic intake should be continued for a long time.

4. Allergic Diseases - Development of autoimmune diseases, hypersensitivities, and allergies are often linked to disruptions in the intestinal microbial balance. So, prebiotics and probiotics can be quite effective in treating these diseases. They modulate hypersensitivity and inflammatory responses and reduce the symptoms of the diseases significantly. They can be used to treat allergic rhinitis, eczema, atopic dermatitis, and allergic urticaria.

5. Genitourinary Disorders - Pre and probiotic foods and supplements can be used to treat bacterial vaginosis, yeast vaginitis, and urinary tract infections in women. Lactate and peroxide producing probiotics, along with prebiotics, are particularly used to treat these disorders. Regular consumption of pre and probiotic foods and supplements is necessary to prevent recurring infections.

6. Infections - Prebiotics and probiotics improve immune function and help the body react quickly to infections. They increase the number of immunoglobulin producing plasma cells and T cells and improve your body's ability to prevent and fight infections. A regular dose of pro and prebiotics can lower the risk of bacterial and viral infections in children as well as adults to a certain extent.

The Effectiveness of Pro and Prebiotics - A Comparison

There is a noticeable difference between prebiotics and probiotics in terms of efficacy. While the health benefits of prebiotics are well documented with the help of clinical studies, the benefits of probiotics remain unsubstantiated.