Sales of probiotics have continued to skyrocket over the years among health-conscious individuals. At the same time, an August 2021 survey of 1,004 people revealed that only a small percentage of them understood the relationship of probiotics to a healthy microbiome as well as optimally functioning digestive and immune systems.
Overall, there was limited awareness in regard to a product’s bacterial strains, quality, benefits, efficacy, etc., not to mention the additional terminology that has resulted from deepening research into the microbiome.
While most have a general understanding of probiotics, much less was known about the role of prebiotics and postbiotics, which can result in a bit of biotic confusion.
Probiotics
Beneficial bacteria found in certain foods and dietary supplements such as FloraFood are called probiotics. These healthy, living microbes add to the population in the microbiome, one of the body’s defense systems that is vital for good health. Given that these good bacteria are alive, they need to be fed well to thrive, which, in turn, helps the people they live inside to thrive as well.
Prebiotics
Foods for good bacteria are called prebiotics, indigestible carbohydrates from certain types of fiber that these microbes devour. AIM created a dietary supplement that includes three prebiotic fibers to provide wholesome food for good bacteria: Fit ’n Fiber.
Postbiotics
Knowing that good bacteria in the gut consume prebiotic foods, it should come as no surprise that they eliminate waste. Although this aspect may seem distasteful, the “waste” includes a complex mixture of metabolic by-products termed postbiotics, which are beneficial for the body. Postbiotic examples include enzymes, vitamins and short-chain fatty acids.
The AIM Companies 