Can you take pro and prebiotics together

Q: Can I take 2 different probiotics at the same time?

Its absolutely OK to take multiple probiotic supplements at the same time, says Singh. But you may want to look into trying supplements with different strains to target various needs within the gut. * Otherwise, taking just one multistrain probiotic supplement will serve the same purpose.

By now you've probably heard about probiotics and their benefit to your inside and outside alike. But lately, there's a new wellness word that's been buzzing around and it has a lot of people scratching their heads: prebiotics. And while both are decidedly wellness trends at the moment, they beg the question: Can you take prebiotics and probiotics together and how exactly do they relate to each other?

Table of Contents Show

Probiotics
Prebiotics
Symbiotics
Do prebiotics and probiotics work together?
Do I take prebiotics or probiotics first?
Should you take a prebiotic and a pro?
Can I take 2 different probiotics at the same time?

Sure, you might be regularly ingesting probiotics, as well as perhaps using them in your skincare regimen (including by way of beauty-enhancing powders), but prebiotics might be a little less familiar. As a certified nutritionist, podcaster, best-selling author, and founder of wellness brand Solluna, Kimberly Snyder is well-versed on the topic. She explains, "Prebiotics are nondigestible fiber compounds that are used as fuel by some of the good bacteria in your GI tract by nourishing and helping to ensure that they thrive."

According to Snyder, everything from your mood to your metabolism can be affected by your gut health, which is why both pro- and prebiotics are so beneficial. "Toxins that accumulate in the body can come to rest in the intestines and the liver, the body’s filtering organ," she explains. "For example, free radicals can build up, leading to damage to the organs as well as chronic illnesses like cancer and diabetes." And what's more, factors like antibiotics, processed food and sugar, stress, and aging can throw off the bacteria in your gut.

That said, perhaps the best use of pre and probiotics is together. As Synder explains, "The reason that prebiotics and probiotics work together is prebiotics serve as 'food' for the beneficial probiotics — keeping them healthy and ready to thrive inside your gut." In fact, many brand's — including Solluna — offer products that boast them both.

And the good news is, pretty much everyone is a good candidate to use them regularly. "Anyone can benefit from having more prebiotics in their diet since they most importantly increase 'good' bacteria in the gut overall," Snyder says. "By having more prebiotics in your diet it can also support immune health, benefit digestive health and fight infections." So if a boost of immunity and a better functioning digestive system sounds like something you could benefit from, perhaps this combo is for you.

According to Snyder, there are a few things to look for when shopping for pre- and probiotics. "Some of my favorite sources of probiotics are researched strains of [soil-based organisms], which have been shown to be the most effective to improve mineral absorption, prevent growth of harmful bacteria, maintain overall skin health for a beautiful glow, and help reduce the frequency of bloating and gas," she says. Specifically, strains like bifidobacterium breve, bifidobacterium longum, and bifidobacterium infantis will have a powerfully effective impact on digestive health. For prebiotics, Synder suggests looking for Shilajit as well as Turkey Tail, and Chaga mushrooms, which studies have shown can help with immunity, anti-aging, and reducing inflammation in addition to their effect on your gut.

Ready to give them a try? Ahead find a handful of pre and probiotic combos that will get your body functioning at its best.

Strawberry yogurt in a glass jar with a spoon

Image Credit: EBlokhina/iStock/Getty Images

Probiotics are the healthy microflora that live in your digestive tract and prebiotics are the nutrients that they use to thrive. Symbiotic products combine probiotics and prebiotics to enhance their beneficial effects. Although both prebiotics and probiotics need to be a regular part of your diet in order to provide health benefits, they do not need to be taken at the same time. Consult a health care provider before taking probiotic or symbiotic supplements.

Probiotics

Probiotics are beneficial micro-organisms that live naturally in your digestive tract. They provide a range of health benefits, such as digestive regularity, immune system support and increased absorption of nutrients from your food. Originally used to make fermented food products such as sauerkraut, probiotics are now encapsulated as supplements and added to functional foods to increase their health benefits. The exact benefit that you gain depends on the strain of probiotic bacteria that you take. Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium are the most common groups used in commercial products. Common food sources of probiotics include yogurt and kefir.

Prebiotics

Prebiotics are the non-digestible carbohydrates that help probiotics survive. They are a form of dietary fiber found in many types of fruits and vegetables. The probiotics in your digestive tract ferment prebiotics to use as a source of energy. Fermentation releases short chain fatty acids, calcium and magnesium from your food, and discourages pathogenic micro-organisms from invading your system. Natural sources of prebiotics include artichokes, asparagus and garlic.

Symbiotics

Symbiotic is a term used to describe dietary supplements or foods that contain both prebiotics and probiotics together. Their purpose is to increase the number of probiotic bacteria that become established in your digestive tract by providing a source of energy for them. Although prebiotics and probiotics do not need to be taken at the same time to provide health benefits, they both need to be a regular part of your diet. More research is needed to confirm whether symbiotics have a greater effect on your health than individual prebiotic and probiotic products.

Products

When choosing a probiotic food or supplement, check the label for the strain of live bacteria and the number of colony forming units, or CFUs, per serving. Follow the manufacturer's storage instructions to avoid damaging the micro-organisms and stop using them after the expiration date. Consult a health care provider before taking probiotic or symbiotic supplements.

Do prebiotics and probiotics work together?

Ultimately, prebiotics and probiotics work together. Prebiotics are the breakfast, lunch and dinner for the live probiotics, which can help improve gut health. Incorporating health-promoting functional foods, such as those containing both prebiotics and probiotics, aids in creating a healthier you.

Do I take prebiotics or probiotics first?

You can take your prebiotic around the same time that you take your probiotic, but you'll want to space them out around 10 to 15 minutes. Otherwise, the two could interact too early, before they reach the large intestine which may lead to bloating. It's best to take your probiotic first, on an empty stomach.

Should you take a prebiotic and a pro?

The use of prebiotics and probiotics together is called microbiome therapy. You don't need to take a prebiotic for probiotics to work, but taking them might make your probiotics more effective.

Can I take 2 different probiotics at the same time?

It's absolutely OK to take multiple probiotic supplements at the same time, says Singh. But you may want to look into trying supplements with different strains to target various needs within the gut. * Otherwise, taking just one multistrain probiotic supplement will serve the same purpose.