No, they are not the same.
Prebiotics
Prebiotics are defined as non-digestible carbohydrates that promote the growth or activity of the beneficial bacteria. Examples of prebiotics include fructooligosaccharides (FOS) and mannanoligosaccharides (MOS).
Probiotics
Probiotics are defined as “live microorganisms that, when administered in adequate amounts, confer a health benefit on the host”. They can be found in foods or supplements.
The effects of prebiotics and probiotics on the skin
Several strains of probiotics, including Lactobacillus, Bacillus, and Bifidobacterium, have been studied for their effects on the skin.
While the exact mechanism of action remains unclear, it is believed that probiotics #modulate the immune response toward a Th1 cell-mediated response, which may improve skin disorders.
Prebiotics and Probiotic: a mutually symbiotic relationship
Using a combination of prebiotics and probiotics can be beneficial as prebiotics provide optimal conditions for the survival and growth of probiotics.
#TLDR Probiotics are live microorganisms, while prebiotics are “food” for these microorganisms.
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References
Impact of Nutritional Supplementation on Canine Dermatological Disorders. Vet Sci, 2020
Marchegiani A, Fruganti A, Spaterna A, Dalle Vedove E, Bachetti B, Massimini M, Di Pierro F, Gavazza A, Cerquetella M. Impact of Nutritional Supplementation on Canine Dermatological Disorders. Vet Sci. 2020 Apr 3;7(2):38. doi: 10.3390/vetsci7020038. PMID: 32260299; PMCID: PMC7355824.
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