Probiotics has become a fairly common term in the field of nutritional supplements, but lately we’re hearing more and more about prebiotics as well. Are they related? What’s the difference?

Where does the term probiotics come from? A literal translation would be “for life” and when it comes to colon care and intestinal microflora, probiotics are the good bacteria bifidobacterium longum and lactobacillus acidophilus, often shortened to acidophilus, that should be living there. And while they are distinguished from prebiotics, they most definitely are not contrary to prebiotics, In fact, the two work together.

Prebiotics (yep, the literal translation would be “before life”) are actually the food for the probiotics. Are we sure we want to feed the bacteria inside us? Well, the good bacteria we do. And prebiotics such as fructooligosaccharides (FOS) and inulin selectively feed the good bacteria only, creating an environment where the good guys can grow and multiply, crowding out the bad guys. There is limited real estate in our intestines, and if there are sufficient good bacteria, the bad bacteria — the ones that make us ill, challenge the immune system, and wreak havoc on our digestive systems — are crowded out.

So the prebiotic component of acidophilus supplementation is an important partner to probiotic acidophilus, the actual good bacteria itself, the bifidobacterium longum and lactobacillus acidophilus. It makes the most sense to rely on a two-product system that delivers both of these partner components for healthy digestive balance.

So, you’ve been learning about the difference between good bacteria and bad bacteria. Perhaps you’ve seen some of the many studies done on bacteria that sound like they’re from outer space: lactobacillis acidophilus and bifidobacterium longum. You may have read about the health benefits of these guys with weird names.

The natural outcome of this kind of discovery is to determine that you will pay attention to getting these good bacteria everyday. You arm yourself with a supply of yogurt. You cautiously decide to try something called sweet acidophilus milk. You commit to choking down some kefir every day. Maybe you’re even one of those people who likes the taste of kefir! You’re all set, right? Well, if the goal is to get the good guy bacteria to the place in your body where it will actually do some good, while your efforts are well-intended, they are far short of meeting the goal. How can that be? These foods contain lactobacillis acidophilus and bifidobacterium longum, don’t they?

The answer to that question is a qualified yes. What that means is that, while the food source itself does contain the good bacteria these little guys are surprisingly fragile. They are actually destroyed by exposure to air! So, when the container is taken off the food products, the good bacteria content starts to dissipate. (Don’t you wish the bad bacteria that make us sick were this delicate?!)

Then what happens? Well, you eat the foods, right? Therein, the good bacteria meet an even stronger foe – your stomach acid. That’s right. The stomach acid that we need to properly digest our food kills the good bacteria. Sure, some gets through to its intended destination – the colon – but there are many, many casualties along the way. So is it impossible to get a healthy serving of lactobacillis acidophilus and bifidobacterium longum every day?

Thankfully, no. It is possible to get full power lactobacillis acidophilus and bifidobacterium longum through what is commonly referred to as acidophilus capsules. OK, I know what  you’re thinking. Capsules might provide protection against air, but doesn’t the stomach acid still get to the good guys when the capsules are swallowed? With many acidophilus capsules, the answer is yes. And in fact, even exposure to air can decrease the number of live good bacteria in those capsules. So those are no more effective than the food sources at supplying the wanted good bacteria to the colon.

But there are patented acidophilus capsules that have medical technology to enable them to withstand the offenders and reach the colon alive and well, ready for action. These advanced acidophilus capsules have a triple coating, protecting the contents from air, moisture and stomach acid. You can meet your goal! Go ahead and have your yogurt and even kefir if you’d like, but don’t rely on them for your daily supply of lactobacillis acidophilus and bifidobacterium longum.

To supplement one’s diet with the healthy bacteria bifidobacterium longum and lactobacillus acidophilus, many of us turn to products that are commonly called probiotic acidophilus or acidophilus supplements or even just probiotics . There was a time when acidophilus supplements were typically seen as a stand-alone product, and were usually purchased that way as well. Now, though, the scientific understanding has advanced to make it clear that probiotic acidophilus is most effective when taken with prebiotics. Probiotics and prebiotics work together. To get the most health benefits from your probiotic acidophilus (and there are many!), support it with prebiotics as well.