There are good and bad bacteria in your body. Bad bacteria are potential pathogens which your immune system neutralizes. On the other hand, good bacteria produces good health benefits – they assist in the different biochemical processes in your body. In addition, they help with digestion and improve overall health. Let’s find out about prebiotics’ pros and cons in this review.
Table of Contents
Prebiotics Pros
PRO: Prebiotic supplements selectively nourish beneficial bacteria in your body
Good bacteria have the ability to combat bad bacteria in your body. Prebiotic supplements only nourish good bacteria to promote your overall health. In addition, prebiotic supplements do not introduce new bacteria strains in your gut. That is why prebiotic supplements have fewer side effects compared to probiotics which introduce millions or billions of bacteria to your digestive tract.
PRO: Prebiotic supplements support your immunity
Good bacteria in your body help your immune cells combat pathogenic bacteria. This enhances your immunity and wards off certain health issues. However, if all else fails and these bad bacteria result in an infection, good bacteria may also speed up your recovery from bacterial infection in your gut.
Prebiotics only nourish good bacteria. This never causes harm in your body even when their populations increase. In addition, good bacteria also compete with bad bacteria when it comes to space and nourishment. Since prebiotic supplements only nourish good bacteria, this inhibits the population growth of potentially harmful bacteria in your gut.
PRO: Prebiotic supplements enhance nutrient absorption
There is a certain group of beneficial bacteria which supports the absorption of essential nutrients such as B-vitamins, vitamin K, calcium, magnesium, iron, and zinc (nutrients which you can find in leading multivitamins). These beneficial bacteria promote the absorption of these nutrients. Here are some of the benefits of adequate absorption of these essential nutrients:
- B-vitamins – This group of vitamins play an important role in cognitive health and function. In addition, B vitamins are essential for cardiovascular function, protection against free radicals, and overall health.
- Vitamin K – A nutrient which plays an essential role in blood clotting.
- Calcium – Primarily important for healthy bone density.
- Magnesium – Essential mineral for protein synthesis, muscle and nerve function, blood glucose modulation, and blood pressure regulation. Magnesium also helps ramp up testosterone levels and improve sleep quality.
- Iron – Important mineral responsible for erythropoiesis.
- Zinc – An essential mineral for biochemical processes in your epidermal, gastrointestinal, central nervous, immune, skeletal, and reproductive systems.
PRO: Prebiotic supplements help manage obesity
Obesity is often a result of digestion problems and a lot of other health issues. Prebiotic supplements may help manage obesity by supporting healthy digestion and nutrient absorption. In addition, prebiotic they induce the feeling of satiety by suppressing the effects of the “hunger hormone” ghrelin.
Experts also attribute weight gain to a diet which contains more calories that you actually need. The body then converts these excess calories to stored energy in the form of fat. Prebiotic supplements influence the caloric density of food. This, in turn, reduces the calories which the body absorbs.
Weight gain is also due to the presence of triglycerides,which are the building blocks of fatty tissues. In addition, high levels of triglycerides have links to additional risk of cardiovascular and other metabolic issues. Obese people have a higher risk of acquiring these health issues. The regular intake of prebiotic supplements may help manage obesity and other obesity-related health problems.
PRO: Prebiotic supplements may help ward off or manage cardiovascular and metabolic disorders
Cardiovascular and metabolic disorders can be deadly if you leave them untreated. However, you might keep these disorders at bay with the use of prebiotic supplements. Even though research is still in its early stages, there is very promising scientific evidence regarding the benefits of prebiotic supplementation on cardio-metabolic dysfunction in humans. In addition, prebiotic supplementation of inulin and other insoluble dietary fibers can lower the risk factors in type 2 diabetes.
Prebiotic vs. Probiotic – Pros and Cons
People often mistake prebiotics and probiotics as the same type of supplements. However, they have different modes of action even though their effect might be similar at some point. Both of these supplements play important roles in healthy digestion. Here is table of the pros and cons of prebiotics vs. probiotics:
Prebiotics | Probiotics | |
Introduce bacteria strains in your body | No | Yes |
Promote the growth of existing good bacteria in your body | Yes | No |
Easily destroyed by heat, cold, light and stomach acids | No | Yes |
Always 100 percent bioactive | Yes | Not always, good bacteria from probiotics may die before they arrive in your colon |
Potent and tolerable | Yes | Not always |
Treatment for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) | Reduce symptoms of IBS | Improve symptoms of IBS |
Side effects | Potential side effects of prebiotic supplements include: gaseousness, bloating, abdominal pain, and diarrhea | Common side effects of probiotic intake include: abdominal cramping, nausea, soft stools, flatulence, and taste disturbance |
Prebiotics Cons
CON: Some prebiotic supplements are pricey
Prebiotic supplements are safe and effective. However, you can’t really expect premium supplements to come cheap. In contrast to probiotics (which are often affordable), prebiotic supplements go through more manufacturing processes to assure their effectiveness. This process costs more money, so prebiotics become more expensive. In addition, they are safe for long-term use without the need of cycling or breaks, so constant use is beneficial – but pricey – in the long run.
CON: Initially, prebiotic supplements might cause some discomfort in your digestive tract
When you take prebiotic supplements for the first time, you have to give your body enough time to adjust. Initially, you might experience side effects such as gaseousness and bloating. However, upon consistent intake of prebiotic supplements, your body eventually adapts. You can then take them regularly without problems. However, you should only follow the recommended dosage of these prebiotic supplements because a high intake of prebiotics may lead to adverse effects such as abdominal pain and diarrhea.
CON: Limited availability of prebiotic supplements
Let’s face it: prebiotics aren’t as common as probiotics. Probiotic drinks are available even in your favorite convenience store. However, stores for high-quality prebiotics are hard to find. You might see them in drug stores and other dietary supplement stores, but there’s a possibility of limited availability.
If you want a premium prebiotic supplement, Performance Lab® Prebiotic might be your best bet. This supplement is only available online and you can only purchase it from the official Performance Lab® Prebiotic website.
Conclusion on Prebiotics Pros and Cons
This Pros and Cons article aims to help you decide whether you need prebiotic supplements or not. In addition, this review also showed the differences between the two so there is no confusion between these supplements.
Our takeaway: the benefits of prebiotic supplements clearly outweigh their cons. In addition, prebiotic supplements have plenty of benefits for your overall health. This, in turn, enhances your overall quality of life.
Choose a high-quality supplement which gives you good results. Your health is important, and so is your money. That is why you should opt for a prebiotic supplement which gives you a fast return on your investment.
If you need help in choosing the right prebiotic supplement, our guide on How to Buy a Good Supplement should help you decide which prebiotic supplement to get.
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