Benefits: Colon Bacteria and Bowel Inflammation

Good Colon Bacteria

The very heart of the prebiotic story is the fact that oligofructose and inulin plant fibers strongly stimulate the growth of beneficial bacteria in the colon. The colon is a depository for a huge number and variety of bacteria. What one eats is very important for which ones thrive and which ones do not. The two key bacteria groups are the Bifidobacter and Lactobacillus species. Everyone has them in varying amounts in the colon. These bacteria depend on selective plant food fibers for growth. By feeding our colon bacteria with adequate prebiotic oligofructose and inulin plant fibers, we can shift the balance within the colon so that these good bacteria predominate. Many health benefits then occur. Additionally, the bad and potentially dangerous bacteria do not have room for growth. If probiotic live bacteria are taken, then it is important to get a generous amount of prebiotics so as to promote their growth.

Inflammation of the Bowel

Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis are the major inflammatory conditions of the lower bowel and, especially, the colon. There is a genetic component to these entities. But we also know that both of these conditions require bacteria inside the gut as a first step in the inflammatory or infectious process. If there are no bacteria, there is no inflammation or infection. But we all have a huge number of bacteria within our colon. What is important is the mix of good and bad bacteria. What is becoming apparent in these two conditions is that many patients may be eating too much protein and too little fiber. A first step is therefore to increase fiber intake. This should be done slowly. It is the soluble fibers that are most important. These are the ones that feed the good bacteria and shift the balance in a favorable manner. The bad bacteria are pushed into the background. When prebiotic good bacteria dominate, a variety of good health benefits occur. Many of these are favorable to persons with Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. The very best soluble fibers are the prebiotics, present in many vegetables and, if needed, in prebiotic dietary supplements.

References

Prebiotic effects: metabolic and health benefits
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