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Prebiotics are a type of non-digestible, high fibre carbohydrates that are found in certain foods. They promote the growth or activity of good bacteria in the gastrointestinal tract. Prebiotics can alter the composition of organisms in the gut microbiome.
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- Ensures your bowel is healthy anf functional
- Improves the regularity of your bowel movements
- Prebiotics work well with probiotics to ensure a healthy bowel and immune system
- Increases your immune system functionality
- Prebiotics are best known as a type of dietary fibre known as oligosaccharides
- Found in fermented foods, such as yoghurt and kefir
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Prebiotics have many healthful properties and actions:
- Improved digestion - increasing the good bacteria in your gut, ensures it is a healthy environment and improves gut health and digestion
- Reduced inflammation in the body - the bowel is involved in reducing inflammation in the body. High inflammation can lead to many serious diseases, such as heart disease and cancer. Reducing inflammation reduces your risk of these diseases
- Enhanced immune system - studies show that eating prebiotic food products can result in positive and beneficial changes in the gut microbiome that helps improve immunity
Last reviewed: 30 September 2007 || Last updated: 14 March 2010
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references
- McGuire M, Beerman KA, Nutritional Sciences: From Fundamentals to Food, 2007 Thomson Wadsworth USA
- Marieb EM, Hoehn K. Human Anatomy & Physiology. 7th edition, 2006. Benjamin Cummings Publishing
- Osiecki, Henry. The Physician's Handbook of Clinical Nutrition. 6th edition, 2001, BioConcepts Publishing
- Rolfes SR, Pinna K, Whitney E. Understanding Normal and Clinical Nutrition. 7th Edition, 2005. Brooks Cole Publishing
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NOTE: Mega doses of any type of vitamin, mineral, amino acid or herbal supplement cannot cure illnesses and in fact can be very dangerous and produce toxic side effects and interfere with medicine you are taking. Always ensure you consult your doctor before taking any type of complementary supplements.
Disclaimer: This guide is not intended to be used for diagnostic or prescriptive purposes. For any treatment or diagnosis of illness, please see your doctor.
