Prebiotics vs. Probiotics – What are the Differences?

Prebiotics are not probiotics.

Probiotics are live bacteria in yogurt, other dairy products and pills.

Prebiotics are specialized plant fibers that beneficially nourish the good bacteria already in the large bowel or colon. These plant fibers are not digested by the body itself but rather act as a fertilizer to promote the growth of many of the good bacteria in the gut. These, in turn, provide many digestive and general health benefits.

PREBIOTICS
PROBIOTICS
PREBIOTICS are a special form of dietary fiber PROBIOTICS are live bacteria in yogurt, dairy products and pills. There are hundreds of probiotic species available. Which of the hundreds of available probiotics is best, is still not known.
PREBIOTIC powders are not affected by heat, cold, acid or time. PROBIOTIC bacteria must be kept alive. They may be killed by heat, stomach acid or simply die with time.
PREBIOTICS provide a wide range of health benefits to the otherwise healthy person. Most of these have been medically proven. PROBIOTICS are still not clearly known to provide health benefits to the otherwise healthy. Some are suspected but still not proven.
PREBIOTICS nourish the good bacteria which everyone already has in their gut. PROBIOTICS must compete with the over 1000 bacteria species already in the gut.
PREBIOTICS may be helpful or preventative for irritable bowel (IBS), or inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn’s Disease,Ulcerative Colitis), colon polyps and cancer and those people with a leaky gut. Certain PROBIOTIC species have been shown to be helpful for irritable bowel disease and for recurrence of certain bowel infections such as C. difficile.