Why You Need Prebiotics

As kids go back to school, let’s start the week after Labor Day by answering some questions. You know about probiotics, the beneficial microbes that live in and on our bodies and compose our microbiome, but one question that seems to be on a lot of people’s minds is prebiotics: why do you need them?

Prebiotics are substances, typically found in plant-based foods, that can be used as food for probiotics. Two well-known types of prebiotics are plant fibers such as inulin and fructooligosaccharides, or FOS for short. There are undoubtedly many more types, but research in this area is really just getting started.

No matter. If you want to make sure you’re feeding your microbiome, eat your vegetables, fruits, and beans on a regular basis. You don’t have to worry about what the prebiotics are called; they’re in there. Still working on your diet? Take a probiotic with FOS. To back up the fruit sugars, take some soluble fiber such as inulin as well. That’s the way to keep your microbiome healthier and doing its job for your health.

What are you prepared to do today?

Dr. Chet

Reference: Curr Opin Biotechnol. 2016 Feb; 37: 1–7. doi: 10.1016/j.copbio.2015.09.001.