Synbiotic: what it is, how it differs from probiotics

The intestinal microflora plays an important role in overall human health, helping with digestion, nutrient absorption, strengthening the immune system, and protecting the body from pathogenic microorganisms. An imbalance in the intestinal microflora can lead to various health problems, such as a weakened immune system, digestive disorders, inflammation, and other diseases. Therefore, maintaining healthy intestinal microflora with probiotics, prebiotics, or synbiotics can be important for overall health. Let's take a look at what synbiotics are and how they differ from probiotics.

Differences between synbiotics and probiotics

Synbiotic preparations contain both probiotics and prebiotics. They have a complex effect on the body. Probiotics are live microorganisms that are needed to help digest food and support the immune system. With proper nutrition, they colonize the intestines. Prebiotics serve as food for beneficial bacteria, stimulating their growth and reproduction. Together, they help improve digestion, maintain the balance of intestinal microflora, increase energy, and maintain a stable, healthy body. Probiotics, on the other hand, contain only live microorganisms.

In the case of probiotics, prebiotics must be taken additionally to achieve a symbiotic effect. They create optimal conditions for their growth and reproduction, which is often recommended. In synbiotics, on the other hand, both components—probiotics and prebiotics—are contained in one preparation. This is more convenient and effective for maintaining intestinal health.

Features of synbiotics

Synbiotics often contain various strains of bacteria, such as Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium, Streptococcus, and others. In addition, prebiotics such as inulin, fructooligosaccharides, galactooligosaccharides, and others may also be included in synbiotics to support the growth and development of beneficial bacteria.

Features of synbiotics:

• Synbiotic preparations are usually used to maintain intestinal health and improve digestion.
• They can be especially useful after taking antibiotics or in cases of intestinal disorders.
• Synbiotic preparations may contain various combinations of probiotics and prebiotics, depending on the manufacturer and intended use. The number of microorganisms in synbiotics can vary, ranging from several million to billions of colony-forming units (CFU) per dose.

The total number of microorganism species and their concentration in synbiotic preparations may vary depending on the specific product and its intended use. Therefore, it is important to carefully study the product information. It is best to consult a doctor or specialist before starting to use it.