A prebiotic supplement feeds the proper bacteria in your digestive system and, in turn, aids you with your health. Prebiotics are available in both naturally growing foods (usually high in fiber) and in supplements.
While traditional prebiotics like fructooligosaccharides have not been categorized as prebiotic foods, other types have. This includes polyphenols, a new category of antioxidants, which is now considered a prebiotic by the Food and Drug Administration.
Prebiotic supplements may help prevent certain cancers, such as colon cancer. This is due to the fact that they cause the growth of certain types of bacteria in the digestive tract. The addition of good bacteria to the system decreases the growth of those bacteria that can cause disease, including colon cancer.
Since there is no specific definition for the best prebiotic supplement, it is important to do some research, and that’s exactly what we’ve done in this article. As with any supplement, the key to finding the best ones for your specific needs is research and reading labels carefully.
Prebiotic supplements may also be in a pill form, rather than as a supplement. They work in a similar way to the best prebiotic foods, by making sure that beneficial bacteria are produced. and maintained in the body, but do not need to be made in the stomach.
This is How Prebiotic Supplements Work
Before we jump into the best prebiotic supplements, let’s see how they actually work, and the benefits they offer.
The fact is that the body naturally creates its own ‘good’ bacteria, but when it is depleted or in an environment where the microorganism is killed off, there is a drop. This means that there are fewer of them in the gut and that a person’s immunity system is weaker, causing illnesses and other health problems.
Prebiotic supplements are based on the principle that the body is able to naturally produce enough of the right microorganisms to sustain life. Also, if these microorganisms are not present in their natural state, they can still be beneficial. By taking these supplements, you’ll help restore the microorganisms to their natural state and restore an optimum balance between good and bad bacteria.
One of the benefits of using prebiotics is that they are said to have antiviral and antibacterial properties. Because of this, they can help protect against the development of colds and flu. It also helps to prevent the stomach from being irritated and can help to increase the speed of the digestive process.
Lastly, many scientists believe that prebiotics help to maintain the levels of energy in the body, to prevent fat cells from accumulating, and the heart to function more quickly.
What is the difference between prebiotics and probiotics?
While prebiotics and probiotics are both excellent to improve the human body’s gut and digestive system, there are some significant differences between both. Mayoclinic analyzed the main difference between both products and we’ll explain them to you in plain words.
Firstly, prebiotics are plant fibers that can be found in fruits and vegetables. For instance, the ones that include fiber and resistant starch. These are the ones that feed the good bacteria in our gut and, therefore, benefit your digestion.
Now, the main difference with probiotics is that they contain live organisms. The most common food where probiotics are included in Yogurt, whether normal ones, lactose-free, or soy ones. The main probiotic found in food is Lactobacillus, however, note that there are over 100 different species.
In short, the difference between prebiotics and probiotics is that prebiotics are plant fibers that provide food and energy to the good bacteria. On the other hand, probiotics contain live organisms that add good bacteria within your digestive system.
Both are great to improve your digestive system. Prebiotics are more recommended to improve your gut’s health, while probiotics are good for your entire organism.
When Should I Take Probiotics?
Probiotics are more popular than prebiotics, there is more research made on them, and are often included in prebiotic supplements. However, when should you take probiotics?
According to the Harvard Medical School, probiotics are helpful in most cases. But more studies are needed to test their efficacy on older adults. What we know for sure is that you should take probiotics if you have one or more of the following symptoms:
- Constipation
- Digestive issues
- You suffer from intestinal gas and bloating
- You are on antibiotics and you suffer from diarrhea
Are probiotics risk free? Well, supposedly, yes. But there are risks associated with some supplements. The most known potential issue is that probiotic supplements aren’t considered drugs and, therefore, aren’t officially tested and manufactured as such.
However, most probiotic and prebiotic supplements are safe to use and helpful for your health.
Can Probiotics and Prebiotics Be Harmful?
Both prebiotics and probiotics exist in our organism and, therefore, these supplements are harmless for most people. However, depending on your overall health and pre-existing condition, you might be careful when taking them.
According to WebMD, there are warnings you should know about both prebiotics and probiotics. First, and on rare occasions, they might trigger allergic reactions. For instance, mild stomach problems, more gas, diarrhea, or even end up being bloated.
As mentioned previously, prebiotics and probiotics already exist in our organism. However, we recommend getting in touch with your general practitioner if:
- You suffer from a critical illness
- If you had surgery
- You have general immune system issues
8 Best Prebiotic Supplements 2022: Detailed Reviews
1. 1MD Complete Probiotics Platinum – The most versatile and effective prebiotics with lots of probiotics and certified by the GMP
The 1MD Complete Probiotics Platinum is one of the best prebiotic supplements on the market that you can get. In fact, it has many great benefits and includes both probiotics and prebiotics.
First of all, and as expected, the 1MD Platinum helps balance your digestive system as well as promoting your gut and immune system general health. For instance, if you’re someone that suffers from gastrointestinal distress, stomach issues in general, and even stress problems, it is the right prebiotic supplement for you.
Additionally, these are some of the symptoms and issues that the 1MD will help you with:
- Reduce Diarrhea
- Support Immune Cell Function
- Regulate Bowel Movements
- Gastrointestinal Lining Support
- Alleviate Common Gas, Bloating, and Indigestion
Secondly, it is made of 11 powerful probiotic strains and that’s certainly a massive advantage for you. In addition, the prebiotic fiber helps these same probiotics optimize their effectiveness which is definitely helpful.
Furthermore, it is important to note that the 1MD Probiotics Platinum is dairy-free, GMO-free, gluten-free, soy-free, and even free of preservatives.
What bacteria is included in probiotics? Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium are the most common and helpful ones, and you’ll be glad to know that the 1MD Probiotics supplements contain both of them, and more.
To sum up, if you’re looking for an affordable, very beneficial, and safe to use prebiotic supplement, the 1MD Complete Probiotics Platinum has the best value for money.
2. BioSchwartz Advanced Strength Probiotic – Safe to use, 100% natural, and proved to function on the most common stomach issues
If you are a regular user of prebiotic supplements, BioSchwartz Advanced Strength Probiotics will definitely work for you and improve your overall immune system.
The BioSchwartz Advanced Strength Probiotic can work with your body by keeping your digestive system in order but also eliminate waste products. In addition, it will also help fight bad bacteria. This is a great product and certainly one that you should consider.
Firstly, these prebiotic supplements have been scientifically designed to help your digestive system function properly and get rid of toxins that could be getting through it. It works by fighting off bad bacteria that can cause infections. BioSchwartz Advanced Strength Probiotic can also help your digestive system work by flushing out waste products and keeping your digestive system working properly.
This will enable healthy strains to get deep inside the intestines and be able to support a healthy digestive system. This translates into your body having more energy and having a more balanced metabolism.
Moreover, and just like other prebiotic supplements, the BioSchwartz ones are free of allergens. For example, there’s no milk in it, they’re free of eggs, soy, and wheat, and even free of artificial colorants.
The only drawback to mention about the BioSchwartz prebiotic supplements is that some users ended up getting more bloated and they worsened their stomach issues. These tablets also contain Maltodextrin, which is a highly-processed white powder made from corn, rice, or potato starch, or wheat. Maltodextrin may cause allergic reactions, bloating, flatulence, and even asthma in some cases.
3. Benefiber Prebiotic Assorted Fruit Chewable Tablets – Sweet, natural, sugar-free, and easy to add to any diet
These prebiotic chewable tablets from Benefiver aren’t only excellent for your digestive system and to keep your stomach healthy but also your mouth.
The difference compared to prebiotics in powder or in swallowable tablets is the fact that it can be eaten as a sweet candy, while it actually greatly help your overall digestive system. The flavor is actually a mixture of natural flavors from other fruit that are usually very sweet.
On top of that, their benefits aren’t just limited to the digestive system, and that’s why we think they’re so great. In fact, these prebiotic supplements from Benefiber nourish good bacteria in your body, they’re full of fiber, and have a great fruity taste.
Other than being sugar and gluten-free, they strengthen the good bacteria in your gut and have the ability to make a big difference when taking 3 tablets per day.
If you are looking for an all-natural supplement that can provide your body with several health benefits, then look no further than the Benefiber Prebiotic Assorted Fruit Tablets. They are made with all-natural ingredients and will make a great addition to your regular diet.
4. Earth’s Pearl Probiotic + Prebiotic – Incredible value for money, excellent mix of prebiotics and probiotics, and that provides long-term benefits
Just like other supplements on this list, the advantage to Earth’s Pearl ones is that it contains both probiotics and prebiotics. In fact, with only 1 pearl daily, you’ll feel a big difference and your body will definitely thank you.
Also, these are very small pearls and this makes them very easy to swallow. Of course, they’ll also reach your gut very easily and will improve the good bacteria in your body. Whether you’re a young person with stomach issues or a senior with some health problems, these prebiotics supplements from Earth’s Pearl are the solution for you.
It’s important to note that, since these have both prebiotics and probiotics, they’ll boost your immune system properly.
Earth’s Pearl has received nearly 7,000 reviews on Amazon with a total score of 4.5, which is incredible for a small company. These prebiotic supplements are suitable for people who have stomach issues, constipation problems, or even diarrhea and stomach pains.
While we recommend Earth’s Pearl prebiotic supplements, there is a drawback to be aware of. In fact, some users experienced allergic reactions, worse stomach issues, or didn’t see any change after using them.
To sum this up, if you’re looking for healthy, powerful prebiotic supplements that actually work and that will keep your gut clean, Earth’s Pearl is a wonderful option.
5. Performance Lab Prebiotic – The #1 vegan-approved prebiotic supplements that supports immunity and fat loss
Are you looking for some natural, efficient, and safe to use prebiotic supplements? Read below to know more about the Performance Lab ones. First of all, we think they’re a fantastic supplement for helping your immune system, benefit your fat loss program, and even to provide better digestive support.
Secondly, it is one of the few prebiotic supplements that can help with improving your muscle mass while losing fat. Whether you’re on a diet, traveling the world, or have a delicate digestive system, these are an excellent choice. Moreover, they’re vegan approved, and, needless to say, they’ll benefit your digestive system even if you have a strict vegan diet.
Lastly, these particular supplements are full of nutrients, minerals, aminos, and vitamins, and that’s a great way to improve your overall health.
6. Align Prebiotic + Probiotic Supplement Gummies – The best prebiotic and probiotic gummies for digestion problems
Align Prebiotic & Probiotic Supplement Gummies are some others of the chewable tablets that you should consider as your daily prebiotic supplements. In fact, while they’re gummies and, therefore, delicious to eat, they’re also full of nutrients and can greatly impact your digestive system.
Of course, eating sweet gummies rather than swallowing tablets is only one of their advantages. You’ll find it much easier to regulate your digestion, to avoid gas pains or bloating, and to help nourish your good bacteria.
It’s important to note that there’s only 1 gram of sugar per serving (2 gummies) and that’s good news for the ones with sugar problems. The recommended intake for these prebiotic supplements from Align is 2 per day and that is just a small percentage of the sugar you can have.
Other than that, every gummy is made with natural fruit flavor and that’s an excellent way to add good sugar to your diet while improving your digestion during the day or night.
7. Physician’s Choice Prebiotics & Probiotics for Women – The most recommended prebiotic supplements for women’s health
The Physician’s Choice Prebiotic supplement couldn’t miss to this list. In fact, this dietary supplement is listed as the #1 best seller in the prebiotic natural supplements on Amazon and they have over 10,000 reviews.
To start with, they were specifically designed for women who want to improve their digestive and immune systems. In addition, it will also help with urinating issues and that’s a great benefit to consider.
These prebiotics and probiotics are also popular to increase the user’s overall health, common women’s health issues, and even yeast infections. On top of that, and for more serious purposes, many women stated that it helped their Bacterial Vaginosis and it’s certainly something to consider.
Of course, since it helps with urinating issues, it is a great way to calm the symptoms of urinary tract infection (UIT).
That being said, and just like on other prebiotic supplements, there are issues that you should be aware of. For instance, some customers had their digestive issues worse due to the presence of Maltodextrin.
As mentioned in this article, Maltodextrin, is a highly-processed powder made from corn, rice, or more, and that can cause allergic reactions. We recommend you to check with your doctor if these prebiotic supplements from Physician’s Choice are a good option for you.
To conclude, if you’re looking for a powerful and efficient prebiotic supplement with probiotics and D-Mannose for a reasonable price, this is exactly what you’re looking for.
8. GoBiotix Prebiotic Fiber Boost – The first Keto & Vegan friendly prebiotic supplements
If you’re looking to get a prebiotic supplement with a fiber boost, the GoBiotic is the right product for you. There are many nutrients that can provide many benefits to your overall health. For example:
- It helps improve your digestion
- It supports and improves your immune system
- You’ll get constipation relief as well as improving the irritation of your bowel
- It will increase your energy levels during the day
These are only some of the results you’ll experience with these prebiotic supplements. Additionally, taking these supplements every day can also accelerate your metabolism which is a brilliant way to support weight and fat loss.
What we especially like about GoBiotix is the fact that it can improve your health as a whole. From resolving constipating issues to improving urinating problems to stomach inflammations and will even help when you’re bloated!
Another point worth mentioning is the fact that it is a powder and is therefore easy to add to your drink, coffee in the morning, or in your tea during your break. To wrap this up, GoBiotix came up with one of the best prebiotic supplements on the market and we couldn’t recommend it enough.
Important Things to Know About Prebiotic Supplements
Now that you’ve seen the best prebiotic supplements, you probably already know that most of them contain ingredients that help the body digest and absorb nutrients.
However, there are still a few important things to know. For example, It is important to know that most prebiotic supplements contain only a few important prebiotics and probiotics. In fact, while these can actually help our bodies digest more nutrients, they do not provide any of the vitamins, minerals, enzymes, and essential vitamins that the human body needs to stay healthy.
Also, prebiotics and probiotics can only be absorbed and metabolized by the body when they come into contact with the intestinal lining.
Because both prebiotics and probiotics are insoluble in water, they are not able to be broken down by the stomach acid and pass through the digestive system undigested. This means that these prebiotics and probiotics are not being absorbed into the bloodstream for the same benefit that they will receive if they were absorbed and metabolized.
Lastly, and if you are trying to lose weight, it’s important to take the recommended prebiotic and probiotic supplements. You should also make sure that you do not exceed the recommended daily dosage as they can cause damage to your digestive system if you take too much. For instance, taking too much prebiotics can give you abdominal pain, diarrhea, and even make you bloated.
Are Natural Prebiotics Better and Healthier?
The advantage of Natural Prebiotic Supplements compared to supplements is that they contain a lot of beneficial bacteria. That good bacteria helps to reduce inflammation and maintain a healthy digestive system.
So why should you eat natural prebiotics and probiotics rather than supplements? There are several benefits of these supplements which are also not so apparent and are often overlooked. Firstly, some of the most important benefits of natural prebiotics are that they contain lots of soluble fiber, which ensures that the bowels move smoothly and without any problems.
The good bacteria present in these supplements also play an important role in eliminating harmful bacteria and keeping the intestinal tract healthy. This allows the body to process food in a better manner. The advantages of natural prebiotic are many and cover factors that you might be unaware of.
Some of the natural prebiotics that we can list are:
- Garlic
- Onions
- Leeks
- Bananas
- Oats
- Apples
- Seaweed
- Asparagus
If you are concerned about taking in any prebiotic food or supplement that contains polyphenol, consult your doctor. He or she will be able to help you decide whether the supplement you are considering is appropriate for you.
Prebiotics are important to keep your colon healthy, as they aid in the proper digestion of food. They’re also great for the absorption of minerals in your body. The most prominent benefits of prebiotics include the fact that they increase the rate of growth of beneficial bacteria as well as the absorption of water from your body.
To sum up, natural prebiotics are better and healthier. However, in order to reach the number of nutrients that tablets can contain, you’ll need to eat a large amount of these foods, and that’s not always possible.
Conclusion
This was everything you needed to know about probiotic and prebiotic supplements, as well as the best products. Now that you know more about these supplements, how to take them, and their benefits, you’re more likely to know which one to buy.
To wrap this article up, prebiotic supplements can positively impact your digestive and immune system, improve the symptoms of some urinary illnesses, and also treat constipation.
Should you take prebiotics? Absolutely. Should you take natural prebiotics or supplements? Both are helpful for your organism, as far as you don’t over-consume them.
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