Probiotics, the live beneficial microorganisms residing in your gut, are well-known, but prebiotics are less familiar to many. Prebiotics serve as nourishment for your gut's microorganisms, and they must bypass digestion to reach the colon. In the colon, microorganisms metabolize and ferment prebiotics to survive. This process benefits gut health, as it yields various byproducts that are advantageous in multiple ways.
Recent studies on human gut microbiota indicate that an imbalance of gut microorganisms may predispose individuals to a variety of chronic diseases, including Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), diabetes, obesity, cancer, and mental disorders. Probiotics can restore the balance of our gut microbiome and introduce beneficial functions to the microbial communities, potentially mitigating or preventing gut inflammation and other intestinal or systemic diseases.
Growing evidence indicates that the gut is pivotal in human health and the progression of many diseases, including inflammatory conditions, obesity, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, mental health issues, and cancer. It is the principal organ tasked with digesting the food we consume and absorbing nutrients. The gut underpins all bodily functions, from energy production and hormonal balance to mental well-being, skin condition, and the elimination of toxins and waste. It is estimated that roughly 70% of the immune system resides within the gut.