The gut microbiome is the community of bacteria, fungi, protozoa, and other microbes residing in the digestive tract. Together they aid digestion, nutrient absorption, immunity, hormone clearance, and even mental health.
Can You Take Prebiotics and Probiotics Together?
Probiotics are beneficial bacteria that support the health and balance of this microbiome, while prebiotics are non-digestible fibres that serve as food for their growth and effectiveness.
Taking prebiotics and probiotics together provides the gut with the tools it needs to maintain the integrity of the microbiome. Doing so also protects the gut lining.
So the answer is YES— you certainly can take prebiotics and probiotics together.
What is the Difference Between Probiotics and Prebiotics?
Probiotics are live microorganisms that promote gut health by replenishing beneficial bacteria in the digestive system and crowding out the bad bugs. In other words, they are one of the key ways to address ‘dysbiosis’.
Prebiotics on the other hand are predominantly fibres that nourish these probiotics or good bacteria. Together, they form a symbiotic relationship where probiotics act as the "good guys," actively improving gut health, while prebiotics serve as their food, supporting their growth and effectiveness.
How Do Prebiotics and Probiotics Work Together?
Prebiotics and probiotics work synergistically, and when combined in a supplement they are referred to as ‘synbiotics’.
Synbiotics can be a really effective way of supporting overall gut health. Not only do the prebiotics inside feed the probiotic bacteria in the supplement, but they also feed the microbes inhabiting the gut once they reach there.
The prebiotics also aid the survival of probiotics as they move through the harsh environment of the digestive tract, facilitating their colonization in the gut.
It’s not imperative to take probiotics with prebiotics but the combination is an effective one for gut healing. Our Happy Digestion formula does just that; heals the intestinal lining, reduces inflammation, and alleviates digestive discomfort.
How to Get Both Prebiotics and Probiotics Into Your Diet
While supplementation is a wonderful tool to boost our health and digestive function, food as medicine should never be overlooked.
Here is a list of prebiotic foods to consider including in your diet:
- Chicory root
- Garlic
- Onions
- Leeks
- Asparagus
- Bananas
- Apples (with skin)
- Jerusalem artichokes
- Oats
- Barley
- Flaxseeds
- Wheat bran
- Cocoa
- Seaweed
- Dandelion greens
A list of probiotic foods can be found here.
In Summary
Probiotics are beneficial bacteria that support the health and balance of this microbiome, while prebiotics are non-digestible fibres that serve as food for their growth and effectiveness.
Prebiotics and probiotics work synergistically, and when combined in a supplement they are referred to as ‘synbiotics’. Happy Digestion is a gut-healing synbiotic formula.
The promising effects of synbiotics are generally attributed to the benefit of prebiotics, the function of probiotics, and the combined effectiveness of both.
