Probiotic vs. Prebiotic thought

[Roger B]

There is this slight discussion/debate or awakening concerning probiotics vs. prebiotics. Prebiotics would be those foods that help the gut microbiota flourish. And of course probiotics are the little micro-guys themselves. And it is thought that constantly eating probiotics is not the answer. It would be like welfare forever, never expecting the recipient to get a job.

But, I make kefir in my home (and I enthusiastically encourage everyone else to do it also). Kefir is made from a symbiotic culture of bacteria and yeast, or a "scoby". The scoby is the deal; that is the critters that I love and nurture and who make "kefir" for me. The scoby makes the so-called kefir from the milk or sugar water. But what is the kefir scoby "trying" to do. It is preparing the milk or sugar water for the micro-buddies to live in. The scoby is making prebiotics, which of course is also loaded with probiotics. So for the home kefir maker and the kombucha maker, they are really making and consuming lots of probiotics and a vast amount prebiotics. For the home scoby farmer, there is no separation between prebiotics and probiotics.

I rest my case. (:->)
Respectfully submitted,
Roger Bird