What are Prebiotics & What Do They Do?

When we think of our digestive system, we mostly think of our stomach, stomach acids, and intestines. While these things are essential to digestion, they're far from the only parts to pay attention to! Another crucial part of our digestive system is our gut microbiome, an ecosystem of countless microorganisms that work with our digestive system to support its health and function.

Gut health is essential; how our gut feels and how it digests and absorbs the food we eat are all things that can affect our daily overall wellness. One way to support gut health is by caring for your gut microbiome. A great way to do this is to get enough prebiotic fiber to feed the good bacteria in your gut through diet or supplementation. What are Prebiotics? Let's break it down in detail.

What Are Prebiotics?

What is a Prebiotic? What do Prebiotics do? What’s the difference between Prebiotics vs. Probiotics? Probiotics, with an “o,” are live beneficial bacteria that support your gut health and function. Prebiotics are a type of dietary fiber. Our body cannot digest prebiotic dietary fiber with our stomach acid. "But isn't that bad?" you might ask. That's a reasonable question, but here's where it gets interesting. Instead of being broken down, these prebiotic fibers selectively feed our beneficial gut microbiota. This process is called fermentation.[1]^†

Remember the gut microbiome? Our gut microbiome is made up of trillions of live bacteria that play an important role in our gut health. To support a diverse gut microbiome, we want to make sure that the good bacteria in our gut are getting fed.

Ingesting prebiotic fiber gives beneficial bacteria in our gut a food source. That's different from a probiotic, a strain of live bacteria that serves a valuable role in our gut. So, where do we get prebiotics in our diet? These dietary fibers can be found in prebiotic foods like bananas, onions, garlic, and asparagus.

What Do Prebiotics Do?

What do prebiotics do? Prebiotics selectively feed beneficial bacteria in the gut, helping to support a healthy gut environment. There are different strains of bacteria that exist in our gut microbiome; some of them are beneficial, and some of them are not. Prebiotics provide food sources for beneficial bacteria, which helps to contribute to your overall digestive health.^†

You can support your gut with prebiotic fibers through your diet or supplementation. Eating a wide range of plant foods (fruits, vegetables, grains, beans and seeds) will increase your prebiotic intake. For example, certain prebiotic fibers are found in onions, garlic and artichokes, others are found in bananas, chicory, wheat bran, and soybeans. Cooked potatoes (eaten with the skin) contain resistant starch, another type of prebiotic fiber.

Supplements can help you add another source of prebiotic fiber to your day, and the labels let you know how much you're getting per serving.^†

Why Consider Prebiotic Supplements?

So, why consider Prebiotic supplements? What are the benefits of Prebiotics? While the best way to get nutrients is through a balanced diet, some of us may not get enough prebiotic fiber through our diet alone. In fact, over 90% of women and 97% of men do not meet the recommended dietary fiber intake from food sources, which is 30-38 g/day for men and 21-25 g/day for women.[2] This can be because of a lack of access to certain foods, dietary restrictions, or numerous other reasons. In this case, a Prebiotic Fiber supplement can offer a convenient way to include this important fiber in your daily intake.^†

Nature Made^® offers Prebiotics in several different forms to better suit your tastes and needs. Our Prebiotic Fiber Drink Mix Powder is vegetarian, sugar-free, and taste-free and can be mixed into a non-carbonated beverage of your choice.^†

If you're looking for something a little chewier, Nature Made^® Prebiotic Fiber Gummies are an excellent source of fiber in a tasty, convenient package for adults and a source of fiber for kids aged 4-18. We also offer Probiotic + Prebiotic Fiber Gummies, with prebiotic fiber to nourish good bacteria and a clinically studied probiotic to help relieve gas, bloating, burping, and occasional abdominal discomfort.^†

If you’re worried about when to take Prebiotic Fiber supplements, worry not. Prebiotics are very flexible and can be taken at whatever time of day is most convenient for you.

What are the Signs You Need Prebiotics?

Prebiotics may be helpful for you if you have occasional constipation, bloating, gas, or digestive discomfort or if you're looking for a way to support your digestive health with a convenient daily supplement.^†

Prebiotics are a great addition to a daily routine that includes nutrient-rich foods, regular exercise, and healthy sleep habits. If you're interested in whether Prebiotics are right for you, consult with your primary care provider or another trusted medical professional. They are equipped with your personal information to help give you individual advice.

Choosing a High-Quality Prebiotic Supplement

There are a lot of Prebiotics available on the shelves nowadays, so how do you know what to look for? When looking for a high-quality Prebiotic Fiber supplement, make sure that it clearly labels the dosage and benefits of the Prebiotic Fiber on the supplement's label. It's best to pick a Prebiotic from a trusted brand. Nature Made^® offers Prebiotic supplements formulated to support digestive health, and we're the #1 Pharmacist Recommended Vitamin and Supplement Brand.* ^†

Can you take Prebiotics and Probiotics together? Yes! In fact, Prebiotics and Probiotics both work to support the gut microbiome in different but linked ways. Probiotics provide live beneficial bacteria, and Prebiotics feed pre-existing beneficial bacteria in the gut. You see why you might want to include both in your daily wellness routine? You can find Probiotics in certain foods that undergo fermentation, like yogurt, miso and tempeh. Nature Made^®’s Probiotic Collection offers a range of Probiotic supplements in different forms and dosages to fit your specific wellness needs.^†

Shop Nature Made^® Prebiotic Supplements

Check out Nature Made^®'s Prebiotic Collection to find our selection of high-quality supplements. Prebiotics are a great addition to a daily health routine, providing your gut bacteria with a daily source of fiber. Find the right Prebiotic Fiber supplement for you by exploring our Digestion Supplements today!^†

* Based on a survey of pharmacists who recommend branded vitamins and supplements

† These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

References

1. Cummings JH, Macfarlane GT, Englyst HN. Prebiotic digestion and fermentation. Am J Clin Nutr. 2001;73(2 Suppl):415S-420S. doi:10.1093/ajcn/73.2.415s
2. Institute of Medicine (US) Standing Committee on the Scientific Evaluation of Dietary Reference Intakes. Dietary Reference Intakes for Energy, Carbohydrate, Fiber, Fat, Fatty Acids, Cholesterol, Protein, and Amino Acids; The National Academies Press (US): Washington, DC, 2005