Prebiotics for the Healthy

The colon is a health maintenance organ if its bacteria are fed properly. The specific areas of good health that science is beginning to uncover are:

• Improved bowel regularity.
• Increased number of good colon bacteria species, especially the bifidobacter and lactobacillus species.
• Decreased number of presumed bad bacteria, especially the clostridium and bacteroides species.
• Increased absorption of calcium and magnesium. The data here is especially strong with young teenage girls increasing their bone mass 20% after one year of taking prebiotics.
• Increased immune strength in the colon’s own cells. Some of this experimental data is very impressive.
• Better glycemic and blood sugar control.
• Reduction in factors that could lead to colon polyps and cancer when studied in animals.
• Effect on aging, appetite and weight loss. The data on these is very early and nothing conclusive has been demonstrated. Still, good scientists are intensely studying these outcomes.