Prebiotic Foods

Billions of bacteria that live in the human digestive system are referred to as micro flora, or gut flora. It is a delicate combination of good and bad bacteria. Good bacteria provide digestive support; assist in the breakdown of food into nutrients the body can use. In a healthy digestive system, the good bacteria far outnumber the bad bacteria.

The healthy balance of gut flora can suffer due to internal and external factors. What are prebiotics and their relationship with probiotics? Check how effectively probiotic and prebiotics regulate body micro-environment in a safe and effective way and contribute to overall well-being.

Probiotic

Prebiotics are required for probiotics to thrive. Probiotics eat up prebiotics. Probiotics are foods that contain live, beneficial bacteria. Yogurt is probably the most popular probiotic food. Here are few other probiotic foods.

Dairy products: Yogurt, buttermilk, miso or kefir, cottage cheese and some aged cheese.

Soy products: Miso, Tempeh

Fruits and vegetables: Sauerkraut, kimchi (Korean sauerkraut, Tsukemono (Japanese Sauerkraut), Cortido (Latin American Sauerkraut) and chutney, pickles (Indian).

Others: Wine, sourdough bread, tofu tempeh and tamari.

Probiotics are live microorganisms, native of human gut; which contribute positively to good health.

• Boosts immune system to help combat infections, allergies and exposure to toxins.
  
  
• Regulates the digestive system, relieves lactose intolerance and even irritable bowel syndrome.
  
  
• Helps with nutrient absorption and converting vitamins and minerals.
  
  
• Supports a healthy colon.
  
  
• Supports healthy cell activity.
  
  
• Helps in maintaining urogenital health.
  
  
• Great for skin health and respiratory health.
  
  
• Could potentially help with weight loss.
  

Probiotics perform other functions as well.

• Inhibits growth of 'bad bacteria' that cause diseases.
  
  
• Breaks down food for digestion.
  
  
• Produces lactase enzyme which helps digest milk sugar.
  
  
• Produces vitamins in the intestinal tract.
  
  
• Changes the acidic environment in the intestine.
  

Probiotic food is synonymous with probiotic supplements. The growing demand for probiotic foods can be attributed to two specific reasons.

• We have realized that our diet lacks enough probiotics and can fall below optimal levels.
  
  
• Acknowledging that if a positive balance of good bacteria is maintained, the bad bacteria can cause minimal disease and irritation.
  

Further, even though our body is home to ten times more probiotic bacteria than the body's cells and probiotic bacterial make up approximately 70% of our immune system, it is fairly common to face a situation when probiotics occur in less than optimal levels.

For example, antibiotics not only kill the bad bacteria but also the good bacteria that keep us healthy. Here is a situation that requires replacement of good bacteria that was lost. Probiotics can also be inadvertently killed by high stress levels, unfavorable diet, environmental pollution etc. Taking into account all these factors, recent clinical research recommends including probiotic foods in order to tackle certain illnesses, guard against disease and improve or boost overall health.

What are prebiotics?

Prebiotics are a food source to keep probiotics thriving. Prebiotics consist mainly of indigestible carbohydrates. The general classification of prebiotics includes inulin, fructo-oligosaccharides, polydextrose, arabinogalactan and the plyols lactulose and lactilol.

Be it prebiotics in its natural form in foods, as dietary supplements or through foods fortified with these substances, here is how they work. Prebiotics are typically classified under the term 'soluble fiber'. And, they cannot be digested. The human body does not have the ability to digest prebiotics, so they are passed through the stomach into the intestines where healthy bacteria use them as food through fermentation process to grow and thrive. Prebiotics are essential to keep good bacterial strong. Otherwise, the bad bacteria may proliferate and affect health.

Few sources of prebiotics foods are unrefined/whole grain, certain raw fruits and vegetables like kiwifruit, asparagus, sweet potatoes, banana, apple, the berry family, artichokes, chicory root, yam, barley, beans, tomatoes, legumes, eggplant, garlic, onions, peas etc.

Characteristic features and functions of prebiotics:

• Prebiotics cannot be digested. It is a healthy non-digestible food.
  
  
• When consumed it hangs out in the GI tract and feed the probiotics, promoting their growth.
  
  
• Prebiotics are heat resistant.
  
  
• Prebiotics are found naturally in many foods like raw garlic.
  
  
• Prebiotics can be isolated from plants too. (Example: Chicory root)
  
  
• Prebiotics can be synthesized (Example: enzymatically, from sucrose).
  
  
• Prebiotics fend off harmful or pathogenic bacteria that live in the gut.
  
  
• Studies indicate that prebiotics enhance absorption of certain minerals (such as calcium and magnesium).
  
  
• Prebiotics may also help inhibit the growth of lesions, such as adenomas and carcinomas in the gut thereby reducing risk factors involved in colorectal diseases.
  
  
• Prebiotics do not raise blood glucose nor do they increase insulin release.
  

Prebiotics health benefits

Increases probiotic growth: Prebiotics provide the necessary environment conducive for good bacteria to multiply and stunt the growth of harmful yeasts.

Protection against colon cancer: Research has indicated that prebiotics may have the potential to stop the development of colon cancer, during the early stage.

Calcium and minerals absorption: There is an increased absorption of calcium from the colon thereby decreasing losses from bone tissue.

Boosts immunity levels: The immune factors within the colon wall are significantly increased; thereby providing the body with significantly better resistance to infection. Allergies and asthma in children are significantly reduced. There is marked improvement in resistance levels resulting in decrease in gastrointestinal infections and respiratory infections.

Effects appetite and weight: A recent study has found that prebiotic supplementation was associated with reduced appetite sensation after a meal or less sense of hunger and more awareness of fullness.

Improved bowel movement: Bowel movements are softer, bulkier and more regular.

Correction of leaky gut: It is a rare condition in which large spaces occur in between the cells that compose the wall of the gut. Since these spaces exist in the gut wall, bacteria, toxins and food can find their way into the bloodstream. Prebiotics strengthen the bowel wall and reduce permeability (leaky gut) with reduced toxin absorption.

Prebiotics products

Though prebiotics occur naturally in fruits and vegetables, why is there a demand for prebiotics products? Because the normal prebiotics level in a healthy diet is 2-3 grams per day, an additional 5-8 grams per day is needed to get a shift in the positive components of the gut flora.

Prebiotics are added to foods such as cereals, biscuits, breads, table spreads, energy drinks, energy bars, candy, desserts, pasta and yoghurts. Be it bread containing prebiotics, cereals, drinks and yogurts or even prebiotic water, here are key factors for consideration while choosing prebiotics product that actually works.

• Check company reputation in choosing prebiotic products and if the manufacturer follows good manufacturing practice regulations.
  
  
• Prebiotic products should have essential enzymes to make a positive impact on the digestive tract.
  
  
• Prebiotic supplements should contain phenolic compounds, the same natural bioactives that are contained in kiwifruit.
  
  
• The phenolic compounds and enzymes should be well preserved through the use of a safe system. If destroyed, the desired health benefits may not be achieved.
  
  
• Processed foods like yogurts should have bifidobacteria which in turn contains oligosaccharides (carbohydrate fiber).
  
  
• In choosing inulin prebiotics options, consider potency or strength. A high potency, 5-10 grams is an effective dose for digestive support.
  

Medical experts opine that prebiotics be held below 20 grams, a level that is considered safe to minimize the side effects, if any. Consult your physician before altering your healthcare regimen with a prebiotics product. Though recognized safe to consume, prebiotic products can cause symptoms of abdominal pain, flatulence, bloating, abdominal cramps and diarrhea.

Prebiotics vs probiotics

The two are related to one another but they aren't alike. Both have positive impact on the body and are essential for a healthy digestive tract. But they play different roles.

• Prebiotics are functional food whereas probiotics are the good bacteria in the gut.
  
  
• Prebiotics nourish probiotics. Probiotics thrive with the support of prebiotics.
  
  
• Prebiotics are not digestible whereas probiotics are found in digestible food sources and are absorbed into the body.
  

Prebiotics or probiotics

Prebiotics or probiotics - This is a question that comes to mind while choosing supplements in food. Remember, if the body lacks enough prebiotics and probiotics, it can revert to a state of intestinal dysbiosis. But with a prebiotic meal, you are doing good for your bacterial health. If prebiotics and probiotics are combined, they have a symbiotic relationship that may alleviate symptoms associated with gastrointestinal-related illnesses and enzyme deficiency. The synergy will only enhance health and ultimately overall well-being.