Why would people want to ingest probiotics or foods with prebiotics when their colons already contain bacteria?
Probiotics are bacteria that are found in yogurt cultures such as Acidophilus or Lactobacillus. These organisms do not harm the body and may actually help the digestive system in the long run. Everyone's colon contains many bacteria that actually help the body obtain nutrients such as vitamin K. Bacteria in the digestive system can digest nutrients in food and release molecules that may reduce the inflammation in the lining of the digestive tract.
Such normal flora can be destroyed when antimicrobial medications are used. This can cause the overgrowth of other more harmful bacteria, which can lead to diarrhea and other illnesses. Probiotics can be taken to repopulate the digestive system with more beneficial bacteria that will help control the growth of more harmful bacteria.
Prebiotics are nutrients found in foods that feed the probiotic bacteria such that they continue to grow and help aid in the digestive process.
People with depressed immune systems should not take in large amounts of prebiotic- or probiotic-containing foods.
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