Trying to figure out what’s right for your health has become the most popular quest in the world. Human beings have distanced themselves from nature, and the consequences are emerging. Now, they are looking to it for answers.
Everyone wants to know what’s the next superfood and which supplements to take for one ailment or another. The same applies to prebiotic supplements that are becoming more and more prevalent in the supplement industry. What are prebiotics exactly, and how to know you’re choosing the best prebiotic supplement for your needs?
This article will go over the top 5 prebiotic supplements for 2024. Whichever one you end up choosing will bring numerous positive changes to your body. Go through the reviews and read all about the benefits of using prebiotics in the guide below.
Are You in a Hurry?
If you don’t have the time now to go into all the details about prebiotics, we understand. Here is a short and concise list that summarizes it and can still help you make a decision.
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Best Overall: Dr Tobias Prebiotic | CLICK HERE FOR PRICE |
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Best Budget: Vitamin Bounty Prebiotic Supplement - with PreForPro® | CLICK HERE FOR PRICE |
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Best as Complementary to Prebiotics: Hyperbiotics PRO-15 Probiotics | CLICK HERE FOR PRICE |
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Most Delicious: Align DualBiotic Prebiotic + Probiotic Supplement Gummies | CLICK HERE FOR PRICE |
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Best 2 in 1: Earth’s Pearl Probiotic & Prebiotic | CLICK HERE FOR PRICE |
5 Best Prebiotic Supplement
Best Overall: Dr Tobias Prebiotic
If you want the best prebiotic supplement you can get for your money, have a look at the Dr Tobias Prebiotic. It's of incredible quality, and its formula contains the finest ingredients. This prebiotic has been extensively tested, and it is made in an FDA registered facility that also has GMP certification.
This product focuses on GMO-free plant fibers. They act like a fertilizer which helps your good gut bacteria thrive and flourish. It has all your digestive system needs, and you can also take it with you when traveling.
The Dr Tobias prebiotics works well in combination with probiotics, and they’re both important for achieving proper bacteria levels in your gut. You won't have to wait long to see the positive effects of this prebiotic supplement. For people who have tried different kinds of approaches and are thinking of throwing in the towel, this supplement might change your mind.
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Best Budget: Vitamin Bounty Prebiotic Supplement – with PreForPro®
US-based company Vitamin Bounty makes this prebiotics supplement. They are a highly reputable brand, known for the quality of their supplements. The Vitamin Bounty Prebiotic Supplement is GMP compliant and rigorous third-party tests guarantee its quality. This prebiotic supplement comes in the form of soft gel capsules, and one bottle contains 30 of them.
This product will help you increase the number of good bacteria in your digestive system quickly and with ease. As many prebiotic supplements out there, the Vitamin Bounty Prebiotic Supplement works best in combination with probiotics. However, it is also extremely beneficial if used on its own.
The Vitamin Bounty supplement is a gluten-free product; it is safe for people who have celiac disease or suffer from gluten intolerance. It contains grass blends, barley, oats, and other natural and healthy ingredients. The supplement has a shelf life of two years, but that‘s not likely to become an issue since you're probably going to take one each day anyway.
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Best as Complementary to Prebiotics: Hyperbiotics PRO-15 Probiotics
This amazing prebiotics comes fully prepared to save your gut health. It is entirely dairy-free, vegetarian-friendly, and gluten-free. The patented method allows for a slow release of the probiotic organism. It takes about 8-10 hours for the prebiotic to pass the stomach and reach your intestines where it can start working its magic.
You can take anywhere from one to three capsules a day, and this package comes with 60 capsules. That means that you won’t have to worry about buying another bottle for a while. This product is a blend of 15 million different strains, all of which are incredibly beneficial to your health.
So much of your immune system depends on your gut bacteria and how well they’re fairing. The Hyperbiotics PRO-15 Prebiotics helps you not have to worry about that. It will also support you on your weight loss journey and make sure you stay in a good mood by boosting your hormone regulation.
This prebiotics is made in Colorado, US, with two patented technologies — LiveBac Processing and the BIO-tract Delivery System. These allow for the supplement to have a long shelf life without needing any refrigeration.
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Most Delicious: Align DualBiotic Prebiotic + Probiotic Supplement Gummies
In case you’re looking for one product that can give you all the gut nourishment you need, look no further. The Align DualBiotic Prebiotic + Probiotic Supplement Gummies contain inulin, an important prebiotic fiber. It also contains probiotic Bacillus coagulans, and this combo can work wonders for the good bacteria in your gut.
One of the best things about this supplement is that it tastes rather sweet. You also don't have to take any water with the gummies, as you do with most other types of supplements. You can just chew it and enjoy the fruity flavor.
The sweet fruity taste guarantees that you’ll never forget to take the supplement on time. And another cool thing is that there are 60 gummies in the package, meaning you'll be good for about two months.
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Best 2 in 1: Earth’s Pearl Probiotic & Prebiotic
The Earth’s Pearl Probiotic & Prebiotic is excellent for men, women, and kids. The supplement pills are the size of a pearl, meaning that it easy to swallow. It’s recommended to take one pearl a day. Because there are 60 pearls in a bottle, one should last you for two months.
The Earth’s Pearl Probiotic & Prebiotic has a slow-release formula and is very gentle to your gut. When it comes to supplements, pearls are often more effective than capsules, because they’re more likely to survive the stomach acid.
This prebiotic supplement will improve your energy levels and your mood by boosting your gut and your immune system. These pearl pills will protect your body from yeast overgrowth and will help you with fighting chronic diseases and conditions. The pills are gluten-free, but not vegan because they contain some milk protein.
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What Are Prebiotics and What Do They Do?
Prebiotics are fibers that are non-digestible parts of certain foods. They go through the small intestine undigested. When they reach the large colon, they are fermented by gut microbiota. When experts talk about fibers, it’s a broader term than most people think. It’s an entire group of various chemical compounds commonly found in the food we eat.
There are three main compounds when it comes to prebiotics. Those are inulin, fructooligosaccharides, and galactooligosaccharides. These three compounds weren't always considered fibers, but research has shown that they behave the same way as many other types of fibers.
If you want to help your gut and boost the prebiotic levels, taking supplements is one way to go. You can also increase your intake of certain types of foods that function as natural prebiotics.
Prebiotic Foods
If you know something about probiotics, you know that things like yogurt, kefir, and kombucha are rich in them. You can also find prebiotics in certain fruits and vegetables as well as whole-grains. And one of the most important things to remember is that you should mostly eat these foods raw. But, they will retain enough fiber even after a light steaming. Some of the best sources of prebiotics are:
Prebiotics and Probiotics
The best way to look at prebiotics and probiotics is if you imagine the probiotic as the seed and prebiotic fiber as the water and the fertilizer. The prebiotics helps probiotics do their job properly. Yet, there's a lot of talk about probiotics, and all the benefits taking them will bring you.
One might think that probiotics are connected to every aspect of human health and that they can help with any disease or condition. That is not entirely false. However, prebiotics don’t have nearly as big of a reputation. Not yet, anyway. And there's a lot of people who don't know about them.
But, the fiber that we consume from plants has a vital role in getting the most out of the nutrients that help our gut and improve the function of the digestive system. You might be wondering now if this means you should take prebiotics and probiotics together. The answer is yes; you absolutely should. As the prefix of the word prebiotics indicates, they are best taken before the probiotics.
Prebiotics are also very helpful in increasing the good bacteria, such as Lactobacilli and Bifidobacteria, that are already in the gut. Also, the prebiotic fiber isn't as fragile as the probiotic bacteria. The reason is that it's not much affected by stomach acid, heat, or time. Probiotic bacteria from the supplements are only useful if they are alive.
And since gut health is intertwined with so many other functions of your body, prebiotics and probiotics are very important when it comes to your overall health. Think about inflammation and how much havoc it can cause in the human body. Taking prebiotics and probiotics combined can reduce it.
Benefits of Taking Prebiotics
It's often hard to keep track of all of the things your body needs and would benefit from. But, having that information can help you understand the complex and vital functions that keep you in optimal health. So, why is it good to take prebiotics supplements?
Good Digestion and Gut Health
Taking prebiotics leads to an increase in different probiotic microorganisms. The good bacteria use all that nondigestible fiber from the food that you eat as fuel. This process creates short-chain fatty acids. Those are the compounds that have a broad spectrum of benefits to your body.
One of those fatty-acids is butyric acid, which is crucial for your intestinal lining’s health. Studies conducted on butyric acid suggest that it promotes the quality of digestion as well. One of the main reasons people experience discomfort in their gut is the changes that occur in the microbiota composition.
Those changes are usually among the factors that lead to the development of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). This is a widespread disorder that affects the large intestine. So many people around the world suffer from it. Prebiotics, along with probiotics, can help treat IBS.
They can also help with certain types of diarrhea, primarily after the prolonged use of antibiotics. Chronic disorders such as Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis are also among the reasons why people might consider taking prebiotics and probiotics.
They Give Your Immune System a Boost
Everyone understands that having a resistant immune system is important. You might have even had older family members tell you to eat a lot of raw garlic. It probably didn't make sense to you. But it's true. Raw garlic is a good source of prebiotic fibers. And prebiotic fibers help your immune system stay strong.
The changes they cause in the gut microbiome help improve immunity. It’s called the “prebiotic effect.” Your good gut bacteria can use them as fuel to become more efficient in combating viral infections, allergies, and eczema.
They Help with Weight Management
In case you’ve ever struggled with losing weight or maintaining it, you must have heard that you should eat a lot of fiber every day. That’s because prebiotic foods make you feel more satiated. And that’s because they affect hormone levels that regulate appetite.
The feeling of fullness is immensely beneficial for the process of losing weight, as well as for maintaining it. Taking prebiotic fiber alone won’t help you lose weight. Other factors matter even more. But it may help with the process, and most importantly, they will soothe your gut.
They Make Traveling More Comfortable
Do you know how anytime you travel, your digestion suffers? It's not just you; it happens to most people. Some go through the discomfort of diarrhea, and others wonder why they are so gassy and bloated. Constipation is another common issue.
Your gut bacteria have cycles. At certain times of the day, their levels are high, and at others, they are low. They respond to your body cues, your circadian rhythm. They sense that you’re moving around, or that you're eating. So, when you're traveling, especially when taking long flights, and when you're changing time zones, your gut bacteria changes significantly.
Other Benefits
The intricate connection between prebiotics and your gut health is indisputable. That’s why prebiotics and probiotics comprise the dynamic duo of your digestive system needs. We've covered some, but here is the list of few more benefits to keep in mind:
Are There Any Side Effects?
When it comes to taking any supplements or changing your diet significantly, you have to wonder about side effects and interactions. So, are prebiotics safe? The short answer is yes, they are. However, because of the fermentation in your gut, a rapid increase in the prebiotic intake can cause some side effects.
You can end up experiencing some abdominal pain, bloating, and gas. So, that’s why it’s best that you start with a smaller dose of prebiotics and gradually increase it. That way you will avoid experiencing any adverse symptoms.
Another vital thing to remember is to drink water. When you start taking more fiber, water intake needs to go up, as well. It's because fiber-rich compounds like prebiotics absorb water in the colon. And that can potentially slow down digestion and lead to dehydration.
Are Prebiotics Supplements Safe for Kids?
Unless your child has cancer or is an infant, there is no reason why they can’t take prebiotics. Another exception to this is if they have a compromised immune system. However, it’s generally believed that it’s better for children to get prebiotics and probiotics from food rather than supplements.
How to Pick the Best Prebiotic Supplement
It comes as no surprise that not all prebiotics supplements are created equal. It’s important to do your research and find out what kind of supplement would work best for you. So what should you look for when buying the best prebiotic supplement for yourself?
Quality
Quality is tremendously important, but what does quality mean in the context of prebiotic supplements? The crucial aspect in terms of quality is that the products don't contain anything other than the necessary ingredients. Sometimes companies that make supplements use unnecessary additives to “stuff” the ingredient list. You should always watch out for some or all of these:
Also, sometimes you can see manufacturers listing that an ingredient is secret because it’s trademarked. That usually just an excuse to not disclose the entire list of ingredients.
Prebiotic Type
You should always know what type of prebiotic you need. Like there are different types of fats and proteins, there are also different types of prebiotics supplements. Each of them performs a slightly different role in your body. The all-natural and valid forms of prebiotics are:
However, if you encounter ingredients such as dextrin, lactulose, or agave, understand that they are not prebiotics in the real sense of the word. They have some prebiotic-like qualities, but lumping them together with prebiotics is a bit of a stretch.
Check Your Needs
Most of the prebiotic supplements are plant-based, hence suitable for vegans. But, if you have some other dietary restrictions, make sure to know the origin of the supplement and its ingredients, and find out everything you can about the manufacturer. If you have specific food allergies or you’re gluten intolerant, you should always make sure that the prebiotic supplement matches your requirement.
Our Final Recommendation on the Best Prebiotic Supplement Option for Your Gut
The Dr Tobias Prebiotic is our pick for the title of the best prebiotic supplement. The reasons for that are many. Some products might seem like a better choice because they come in the form of both prebiotics and probiotics. And sure, there are benefits to that.
However, this product is not only of superb quality, but it has been tested and double-tested by third-party labs. It's also convenient for several reasons. First, you get to pair it with any other probiotic you want.
Second, if you decide you only want to take prebiotics, without adding probiotics, you can do that too with the Dr Tobias Prebiotic. Finally, it offers excellent value for the price, and you're sure to take it everywhere with you.
