rawmilkandrubberboots

“Now with prebiotics!”  “Now with probiotics!”  Amazing how we as consumers will run after a product when they see a fancy “scientific” word assuming it is good for them.  But when it comes to pre- and pro-biotics do you even know what you’re eating?

In the simplest way of distinguishing between pre- and pro- is to think of them as just that: PRE (aka before) and POST (aka after).  PRE-biotics are food ingredients that help the bacteria currently in our intestinal tract, and hopefully helping our health.  PRO-biotics are food ingredients that contain live microorganisms that will supplement the microorganisms currently present in our GI tract.

So when should we eat pre-biotics and when should we eat pro-biotics?  Pre-biotics have been shown to increase the absorption of calcium and other minerals, improves intestinal pH, and helps in regulating bowel movements.

Pro-biotics can help lower cholesterol and blood pressure, help bacteria replenish after GI upset (i.e. diarrhoea), and also help the immune system.

So now you know what you are eating.  Both of these biotics help our gut bugs in different and similar ways.  One word of caution is that some people have adverse effects when first starting a biotic plan, such as upset stomach, gas, and increased bowel movements.

Mmmmmmmmm…… eating bacteria makes my tummy happy!

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