The Reasons for Prebiotics & A Few Probiotic Myths

While few are aware of prebiotics, you may already be familiar with probiotics. They are not the same thing! Probiotics are beneficial bacteria that live in your colon and provide multiple health benefits.

So, should you just eat some of the many products containing probiotics?

Well, there is a question whether oral consumption of probiotic bacteria provides great benefit. The key issue is that probiotics are living organisms. By the time these living organisms have been processed, warehoused, shipped, shelved and finally… sold to you, there is a real question about how many are still alive and thriving!

Plus, of those left when you take a pill or eat yogurt, few likely make it to the colon. Your body has evolved wonderfully to protect you from harmful bacteria. One key way it does this is by killing bacteria as they pass through the potent hydrochloric acid in the stomach. Unfortunately, the good bacteria can get killed along with the bad. Very few likely make it through, so massive doses would be required to fully populate your colon just with oral probiotics.

A more successful strategy may be to nourish and protect the probiotic bacteria that already live in your colon.