The Health Benefits Of Prebiotics

The tie between diet and health have become the newest area of nutritional research as the beneficial microflora or probiotics in the gastrointestinal tract are aided with the assistance of prebiotics to ensure a balanced system for digestive health. They increase the absorption of calcium and minerals and help to improve the immune system, they give your body the ability to defend itself and promote well-being.

Derived from carbohydrate fibers called oligosaccharides prebiotics stimulate the good bacterial growth to keep you healthy. These fibers can be found in such foods as fruit, whole grains, yogurt and whole grains. Yogurt also contains bifidobacteria which are known as fermentable fiber that is very beneficial as well. This fiber can protect the body against food poisoning.

Prebiotics can be taken as a supplement and also are added into some processed foods. Yogurts contain them. Supplements can be added to drinks, to foods or taken in a capsule or pill form.

Certain vegetables contain prebiotic fiber like bananas, chicory root, Jerusalem artichokes, leeks and onions. If you suffer from blood sugar imbalances it will help to produce acids to balance the sugars. Stomach aches, ulcerative colitis and thrush have all been shown to be improved on this type of diet.

Try to get the freshest fruits and vegetables, don’t keep them for very long as they will lose their nutritional value and their prebiotic efficacy will diminish. Eat high-fiber foods like barley and berries and whole grain such as oatmeal. 4 to 8 grams a day is considered a good serving size of these foods, 15 grams is suggested if you have a particular problem in your GI system. Some people can experience bloating and gas so start on a small amount per day and work your way up gradually to eliminate these complications. The good bacteria will build up and the bloating and gas will stop occurring.

You may see an increase in your bowel movements as your body cleanses itself and becomes used to the new levels of bacteria residing in your gut. The colon’s environment will become slightly acidic from the short chain fatty acids (SFCA’s that are products by the prebiotics as it reduces the hydrogen sulfide gas, they will be beneficial to the walls of the colon helping eliminate the effects of ulcerative colitis.

Treatment of disease is controversial but initial studies have shown that prebiotics can improve antibiotic-related diarrhea, gastroenteritis and improve bowel functions. Mineral absorption is increased and the immune system is enhanced. Intestinal irregularity, ulcerative colitis and colorectal cancer have all shown improvement. Colon cancer in it’s early stage has been shown to have been either prevented and even stopped from the effect of SFCA’s.

Balancing your body with good bacteria, feeding your digestive system with the foods that help it help you is the path to staying healthy and feeling your best. Stress, drugs such as anti-biotics and a diet filled with processed foods and sugars as well as unhealthy lifestyles are all contributors to reducing the good bacteria in our guts. Eat the right foods and maintain a healthy balance.

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