Patient Education
What are Synbiotics?
A product that contains both probiotics and prebiotics is called synbiotic. Prebiotics are usually in the form of oligosaccharides - fructooligosaccharides (FOSs), inulin, galactooligosaccharides (GOSs) whereas probiotics are live organisms mainly Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium
What are the effects of Synbiotics?
Synbiotics play an important role in preventing gastrointestinal illness by maintaining normal gut flora and allowing the growth of beneficial bacteria that prevent the growth of harmful bacteria. Probiotics are live useful bacteria whereas prebiotics is carbohydrates that are not digested and help for the growth of probiotic bacteria.
What are the uses of Synbiotics?
There is evidence that combined prebiotics and probiotics help in preventing allergic diseases in pregnant women and their infants. There are increased counts of bifidobacteria as well as lactobacilli in stools which help to prevent the growth of harmful bacteria.
How safe are Synbiotics?
To date, prebiotic and probiotic combinations seem to be safe for healthy infants and children and no side effects have been reported. However, more studies are required to confirm the same.