Prebiotic Benefits

Prebiotics! An extraordinary medical report has been published in the Aug 2010 edition of the British Journal of Nutrition on the multiple health benefits of prebiotics. Roberfroid and 20 other international expert authors reviewed the published data over the past 15 years. This is a massive 63 page report with hundreds of references. They confidently outline those health benefits that have been proven by both animal and human studies.

These positive health benefits are:

1. Increased calcium absorption and enhanced bone density and strength
2. Enhanced immune function in both the gut and body
3. Stronger and healthier bacterial balance in the gut
4. Improved bowel regularity, bulking and softness
5. Leaky Gut and Toxins. Prebiotics strengthened the bowel wall and reduced permeability (leaky gut) with reduced toxin absorption
6. Appetite suppressant due to increased blood hormones that reduce the sense of hunger
7. Reduced risk of intestinal infection.

The 3 areas where there is tentative positive data but where additional research is needed are:

1. Reduced risk of obesity and type 2 diabetes
2. Reduced risk and/or improvement in digestive inflammation-Crohns Disease, ulcerative colitis and irritable bowel syndrome
3. Reduced risk of colon cancer.

Prebiotics! These selective digestive fibers have come of age, are proven and now belong in everyone’s diet. Follow this link to access the 63 page report: http://www.ilsi.org/Europe/Publications/Prebiotics%20Suppl.%20BJN%202010.pdf