Submitted by Dr. Hoberman on Tue, 04/01/2008 - 00:00
This month I want to discuss the benefits of prebiotics. These newsletters have highlighted the many health benefits of taking a probiotic, but have yet to make mention of prebiotics. The term prebiotic refers to a specific type of fiber in our diet. Everyone has heard that a high fiber diet is healthy, but before getting into the benefits of prebiotics, it is important to first understand what is meant by dietary fiber. Dietary fiber refers to the plant cell wall components that are not digestible by humans. For instance, the human intestinal tract does not have the ability to break down and absorb the carbohydrates (sugar) in the skin and other fibrous portions of fruits and vegetables. We are also unable to digest the carbohydrates in the bran and fiber of cereal and grains. There are two classifications of dietary fiber: water soluble and water insoluble. Our intestinal bacteria can not metabolize or ferment insoluble fiber, so it’s this fiber that helps soften stools for easier passing. On the other hand, soluble fiber can be fermented by some of the bacteria in the colon. It’s this principal characteristic of a prebiotic that allows it to act as “food” for the healthy bacteria, Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium. These bacteria use the prebiotic as a source of nourishment for their growth and activity. As the fermentation process continues, this results in the production of short chain fatty acids (SCFA). These fatty acids are absorbed by the colon lining cells and offer an array on benefits, including: • Enhanced growth and function of the colon • Stimulated immune function • Increased intestinal defense against bacteria that cause diarrhea and colitis. • Improved intestinal absorption of calcium, and magnesium which may help to prevent osteoporosis. • May help to reduce the risk of colon cancer So, where can you get prebiotics? Prebiotics are sugars called oligosaccharides. Fructo-oligosaccharides (FOS) is a common prebiotic sugar used as nourishment by many beneficial bacteria. It's found naturally in many foods (e.g. whole grains, onions, tomatoes, asparagus, bananas, garlic, honey, leeks and artichokes) and can also be extracted from plants (e.g. inulin from chicory root). In addition, many probiotics, like EndoMune do contain FOS to enhance the intestinal production of Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium. These bacteria will then ferment the FOS, producing beneficial SCFA. Probiotics that contain FOS are called Synbiotics. The combination of the FOS and probiotic may help heal and regulate the intestinal flora, particularly after the destruction of microorganisms following antibiotic, chemotherapy or radiation therapies. Without these beneficial organisms throughout the digestive system, proper digestion, absorption and/or manufacture of nutrients cannot take place. Thank you for your interest in EndoMune. Eat healthy and live well! Lawrence J Hoberman MD Take Home Message It is best to take a combination of a probiotic with a prebiotic. EndoMune is one of the available probiotics that can be labeled a Synbiotic
