Simple really!  

Probiotics are the 'friendly bacteria' that inhabit our gut and other parts of our body, whilst Prebiotics are a kind of natural fibre which nourish these friendly bacteria, or Probiotics.

We need both in the body. Probiotics are many and varied - the most commonly known is called lactobacillus acidophilus, but more are being discovered all the time.

We need probiotics and prebiotics for:

• Intestinal health

• Repopulating the gut after use of antibiotics

• Strengthening the immune system

• Yeast Overgrowth

• Candida - Candida Albicans

• Thrush - Vaginitis

• Urinary Tract Infections

• Toxic bowel

• Toxic liver

• Dysbiosis

• Destroy pathogenic bacteria, viruses and fungi

• Help balance sex hormones, especially oestrogen

• Herpes infection

• Food poisoning

• Bifidobacteria for infants whose mothers were unable to breastfeed

• Prevent constipation, diarrhoea, flatulence and bloating

• Overcome skin problems - acne

• Reduce dietary cholesterol

• Assist digestion of lactose in milk by producing lactase

Prebiotics

The best known prebiotic is Fructo-oligosaccharide, usually shortened to FOS.

These are sugars that occur naturally in foods such as Jerusalem artichokes, garlic, onions and leeks. However, you can't eat enough of these foods in a normal diet to provide a significant prebiotic effect, which is why you will need to take a supplement.

FOS are able to reach the colon without the risk of being digested or absorbed, and so they are able to act as nourishment for the 'beneficial bacteria' in the gut.

But that's not their only benefit. Prebiotics have also been shown to fend off the harmful, or pathogenic, bacteria that live in the gut.

Oh, and one more exciting benefit!  FOS powder tastes naturally sweet, and can be added to food or drinks without the disadvantages of table sugar (sucrose). FOS won't add calories, upset your blood sugar levels, feed candida, or any of the other disadvantages of other sugars.