What Are Probiotics, Prebiotics, And Postbiotics? Know The Differences And The Benefits For Health

Illustration of the benefits of probiotics, prebiotics, and postbiotics for the digestive tract and health (iStockphoto)

JAKARTA – A balanced immune system can be obtained by focusing on paying attention to the health of the digestive system, for example by following a healthy diet. The digestive tract contains microbiota, including bacteria, viruses, fungi, and protozoa. There are microbiota that support the health of the digestive system, but some are harmful.

A good group of microbiota, tasked with regulating your immune system, protecting your gut from harmful bacteria, and improving digestion. This good microbiota is divided into three types, namely prebiotic, probiotic, and postbiotic.

Probiotics

Probiotics are microorganisms that live in the intestines. The number is around 100 trillion, reported by Harvard Medical School, Thursday, December 16. When you eat yogurt, sauerkraut, tempeh, kombucha, and some types of cheese, the digestive tract is helped in balance because beneficial bacteria get good nutrition.

Probiotics can help treat lactose intolerance, eczema in children, diarrhea in children, diarrhea associated with antibiotic use, and reduce the risk of intestinal tract infections.

Prebiotics

Prebiotics are a food source for the prebiotics found in your body. Such as foods that contain healthy fiber, such as nuts, seeds, and certain vegetables. This healthy fiber is broken down in the body to make substances that help probiotics grow and thrive in your intestines.

The process of breaking down fiber occurs in the large intestine. Then the fiber that has been broken down provides nutrition for the good microorganisms in the intestines. Prebiotics are useful for minimizing infection, nourishing the metabolic system and heart, and of course maintaining the immune system.

Postbiotic

Postbiotics refer to the waste left behind after the body has digested prebiotics and probiotics. Healthy postbiotics include nutrients that include B vitamins, vitamin K, amino acids, and substances called antimicrobial peptides that help slow the growth of harmful bacteria.

Continuing studies have not fully obtained the steady benefits of postbiotics. However, there are a number of positive benefits of postbiotics, including preventing infection, lowering the risk of heart disease, reducing inflammation, strengthening the immune system, and fighting cancer cells.

In addition to explaining the differences and benefits of probiotics, prebiotics, and postbiotics, consider how to get all three to support overall health. As with the consumption of natural foods and running a healthy lifestyle.