In simple terms, Synbiotic supplements are a combination of prebiotic and probiotic components in one product. But the supplements that have both prebiotic and probiotic components have been in the market for several years but it was termed synbiotic only in recent times. The term refers to the synergistic effects that the supplements provide. The probiotic and prebiotic components work together to positively affect the microbiome, the microbes that live in our gut. Microbiome lives on and inside us. They live in our mouth, stomach, small intestine, large intestine, and on our skin. It is estimated that more than 40 trillion microbes are present in the small and large intestine.
Probiotics and prebiotics can be found naturally in our diet. The synergistic relationship between them is what is present in the synbiotics.
What Are Probiotics?
They are healthy bacteria that colonize the large intestine and can help aid digestion. They help in various activities including digestion, immunity, skin health, etc. Probiotics can be usually found in fermented food such as yogurt, kimchi, and kombucha
What Is Prebiotics?
Prebiotics are nothing but indigestible fibers that feed the good bacteria in our gut helping them to grow. They can be mostly found in garlic, bananas, onions, and legumes. They also help in increasing nutrient absorption and supporting bowel regularity.
Prebiotic and probiotic supplements also have several other health benefits in diabetes, treating diarrhea, etc. if taken separately.
What Does Synbiotics Do?
Synbiotics promote the health of the gut microbiome. Research suggests that the probiotics in the gut sometimes struggle to survive through the intestinal tract. The synbiotics when consumed, it helps the good microorganisms to easily pass through the intestinal. They combine the bacteria and its appropriate food together. Improve survival and growth of the probiotics in the colon. It also improves the microbial composition of the GI tract.
The performance of the microbes in our gut depends on other factors such as your diet, stress levels, etc. Less consumption of prebiotics can lead to the growth of harmful micro-organisms which is known as dysbiosis or dysbacteriosis. It is a condition where an imbalance of good and harmful bacteria occur. It can lead to poor skin health, weight gain, etc. It also supports the overall gut health of our bodies.
Synbiotic supplements are a great way to support the overall health of our bodies but choosing the right synbiotic supplements is important as there are several different types of synbiotic supplements available. Before purchasing any synthetic supplements analyze your gut problem and make sure that the particular supplement is fulfilling your needs. Fructo-oligosaccharides, inulin are some of the common probiotics that can be found in the synbiotics supplements.
Generally, the combination of probiotics and prebiotic components is known as synbiotics. But as per the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization the term "synbiotics" can be used only if the net result is synergistic.
Note- If you are a person suffering from Irregular Bowel Syndrome(IBS), your body might not accept all types of prebiotic fibers. This may lead to abdominal pain, bloating, etc. Before purchasing your first synbiotics supplement, it is always advised to consult your doctor.
