Q: I’ve been dealing with bloating, gas and occasional stomach discomfort. A friend suggested I try a probiotic, but then I saw something online about prebiotics. What’s the difference, and do I need one or both?
A: You’re not alone. Questions about gut health seem to be everywhere these days, and the terms prebiotic and probiotic are often used interchangeably, even though they’re not the same thing.
An easy way to think about it is this: Your gut is home to trillions of bacteria, many of which play an important role in digestion, immunity and overall health.
Probiotics are the beneficial bacteria themselves. You can find them in fermented foods such as yogurt, kefir, sauerkraut, kimchi and certain supplements. These “good bacteria” help maintain a healthy balance in your digestive system.
Prebiotics, on the other hand, are the food that those beneficial bacteria eat. They’re a type of fiber found naturally in fruits and vegetables like bananas, onions, garlic, asparagus, oats and beans. Without enough prebiotics, you won’t have any probiotics, and the healthy bacteria in your gut may have a harder time thriving.
Think of it this way: If probiotics are the seeds in a garden, prebiotics are the fertilizer and water that help those seeds grow.
Many people focus on adding probiotics to their diet, but prebiotics are just as important. In fact, one of the best things you can do for your gut health is to eat a variety of fruits, vegetables, legumes and whole grains that naturally provide prebiotic fiber.
Not too long ago, over-the-counter probiotics were recommended during or after a course of antibiotics to reintroduce the “good” bacteria into the gut after they were wiped out by the antibiotics. Research has shown this not to be the case. In fact, doing this has a worse effect than taking the antibiotic alone.
That said, digestive symptoms like bloating, gas, abdominal pain, diarrhea or constipation can have many different causes. While some people find relief with dietary changes or probiotic supplements, others may need a medical evaluation to identify an underlying issue.
If your symptoms are persistent, worsening or affecting your quality of life, don’t assume it’s simply a gut bacteria problem. Talk with your physician to determine the cause and the best treatment approach for you.
Probiotics are the beneficial bacteria that live in your gut. Prebiotics are the nutrients that help those bacteria grow and thrive. For a healthy digestive system, it’s not really a matter of choosing one or the other. Your gut benefits from both.
Dr. Shauna Lorenzo-Rivero is the president of the Greater Chattanooga Colon Cancer Foundation and is a member of the Chattanooga-Hamilton County Medical Society.