Benefits of Taking Prebiotin

The field of prebiotics has progressed from infancy in 1995 to a robust teenager with the publication of the state-of-the-science by Roberfroid in 2010*.

An extensive review of published medical data has shown the following seven items to be comfortably proven.

1. Calcium and bone density

There is now extensive evidence, laboratory, animal and human studies, that show that when inulin type of prebiotics such as Prebiotin are regularly ingested, improved calcium and magnesium absorption occurs through the colon. This is accompanied by enhanced bone density or strength.

2. Immune system

When prebiotics such as Prebiotin is ingested, there are unequivocal improvements in the immune markers within the colon. This begins in infancy and continues throughout life.

3. Good and bad bacteria

Everyone has an enormous mix of bacteria within the colon. Experimental studies have clearly shown that the types of prebiotics that are present in Prebiotin dramatically enhance the numbers of good and decrease the presence of bad bacteria. This confers a very favorable long term health benefit on the person.

4. Bowel regularity

Prebiotics confer not only improvement in regularity of the bowels but promotes stool softness and reduce constipation.

5. Appetite and weight

A little known fact is that the bowel wall makes a variety of hormones involved with appetite. Some of these promote the sense of hunger and our desire us to eat. Others confer satiety or a feeling of fullness. Prebiotics promote fullness and are associated with weight loss when prebiotics, such as Prebiotin are used. In animal studies this is associated with weight loss.

6. Intestinal infection

There are a variety of bacterial bugs residing in the colon that are just waiting to establish infection. The prebiotics as are in Prebiotin enhance the presence of good bacteria, which in turn prevent these infectious bacteria from causing infection.

7. Leaky or permeable gut

There is a mucous layer which overlies the entire intestine. This is called the biofilm and is the first line of defense in the gut. When bad bacteria predominate, this protective surface is breached and bacteria begin to invade it. More importantly, endotoxins or “toxins” made by some of thse bacteria may leak through and enter the blood stream. Prebiotics as in Prebiotin seem to enhance the presence of good bacteria. In turn, this strengthens the bowel wall back to normal and in so doing stops the “leaky gut”.

The above have been rather well-documented by many laboratory animal and human studies. Below are three more where there is tentative, suggestive evidence for benefit.

1. Obesity, type 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome

These conditions are now known to be associated with an abnormal bacterial mix in the colon. It is felt by many that returning the bowel bacterial mix toward normal will assist in treating these entities.

2. Inflammatory bowel disease

Ulcerative Colitis and Crohn’s Disease are caused in part by genetic and or yet undetermined environmental factors as may occur in the foods and liquids we eat and drink. The 3rd clearly known part of the causes of these two entities  is the abnormal bacterial make up of the gut. Prebiotics such as Prebiotin serve to correct this 3rd factor and so likely play a role treating Ulcerative Colitis and Crohn’s Disease.

3. Colon polyps and cancer

Certain genetic factors are important in developing these tumors. Carcinogens are cancer causing chemicals that are present in the foods we eat or end up in the colon are also likely important. What is known in laboratory and animal experiments is that an abnormal bacterial mix contributes to these entities. Prebiotics as present in Prebiotin favorably alter this balance and so reduce the presence of carcinogens.

So, these are the impressive benefits that medical science has uncovered when prebiotic rich foods and especially when prebiotic-rich supplements such as Prebiotin are ingested.

* Roberfroid M, Gibson GR et al. Prebiotic effects: metabolic and health benefits. Br J Nutr 2010 Aug; 104 Suppl 2:S1-63.