How to Take Prebiotics With Probiotics

The health and fitness world is buzzing with probiotic news. Probiotics are bacteria which help to maintain intestinal health and function. However, another beneficial type of bacteria, prebiotics, is also making headlines. Prebiotics are essentially fuel for the probiotic bacteria, allowing these beneficial bacteria to thrive. There are many products available which boast prebiotic and probiotic content, but much of the bacteria will die if proper care is not taken to ensure they have a chance to establish a healthy working relationship within the body.

Things You'll Need

• Prebiotic foods such as bananas, whole grains, onions, garlic, legumes or artichokes
• Probiotic foods such as kefir, acidophilus milk, yogurt or enhanced cheeses

Show More

Instructions

• 1

  Boost probiotic strength with prebiotics. Probiotics are highly sensitive to environmental factors such as heat, exposure to refined sugar and age. Prebiotics nourish and strengthen probiotics. They should be consumed prior to or with probiotics. Foods such as whole grains, bananas, artichokes, chickpeas and garlic are rich in natural prebiotics. Incorporating prebiotic foods into any healthy diet will enhance the effects of a probiotic regimen.

• 2

  Eliminate foods such as refined sugars that weaken probiotics in addition to eating foods rich in prebiotics.

• 3

  Note the source and look for symbols. Both probiotics and prebiotics are sensitive to environmental exposure. For this reason it is important to note that the Live and Active Cultures symbol so coveted in yogurt labeling only indicates that a certain number of bacteria was detected when packaging the product. If a product does not have the Live and Active Cultures symbol then chances are it has very little to no probiotic nutrition.

• 4

  Forgo supplements and get pre and probiotics from food sources. According to the Dairy Council of California, www.dairycouncil.ca.org, the best source for both pre and probiotics comes in the form of foods. Kefir, a cultured enzyme-rich milk product, is just one of the many foods which in combination with whole grains, bananas and whole fruits and vegetables can enhance intestinal health as well as probiotic use. So if there is a specific brand of choice then use it daily in combination with prebiotic- or prebiotic-rich foods for best results.