Nutrition
Articles
Benefits of Prebiotics
by Charles Poliquin
8/22/2011 3:54:42 PM

According to the American College of Gastroenterology, over 95 million Americans suffer from some kind of digestive problem. These problems may range from indigestion and GERD, to diarrhea, constipation, IBS, and inflammatory bowel diseases like colitis or Crohn’s. One often neglected area in the world of gut health is the importance of prebiotics. Most people have heard about probiotics, good bacteria strains that have been shown in research to have a positive effect on health, but much less discussed is the importance of feeding these good bacteria with prebiotics. Prebiotics are essentially the food or fertilizer that feed the good bacteria in our intestinal tract, increasing their growth and proliferation, positively influencing gut health. Prebiotics, when provided in a comprehensive gut health formula, have a profound influence on gut ecology and health and have been gaining more and more research attention in recent years. Now available in the Poliquin store is Uber Prebiotic.
Uber Prebiotic is a comprehensive formula designed to support numerous aspects of gastrointestinal health. By combining prebiotics and specific nutrients designed to support the integrity of the mucosal barrier, Uber Prebiotic is a complete GI support formula to be included when addressing GI symptoms. Selected nutrients also promote the thickness and integrity of the gastic mucin layer as well as supporting the growth of gastric mucosal cells.
One unique source of prebiotics in Uber Prebiotic that are especially effective is from the bark of the larch tree in the form of arabinogalactans. Arabinogalactan polysaccharides are a source of non-digestible soluble fiber in the diet and have been shown in research to support immune function by increasing natural killer cell activity. Research has also demonstrated that arabinogalactans have the unique effect of selectively feeding lactobacillus and bifidobacterium microflora. They can also inhibit small bowel bacterial overgrowth through short-chain fatty acid production, reducing both ammonia and b-glucoronidase. Rice bran fiber also acts as a prebiotic that supports the gut microflora. In addition, Uber Prebiotic provides apple fruit powder, mannose and green tea which all act as prebiotics to feed the good bacteria.
In addition to the prebiotics, Uber Prebiotic also contains other key ingredients for gastrointestinal health and integrity. Phosphatidylchoilne and plantain fruit target the health of the mucosal barrier. Phosphatidylcholine is a unique phospholipid that has been shown to protect the mucosal barrier under challenging conditions by creating a hydrophobic layer on the luminal surface. Plantain fruit is used to support the gastric mucus secretion and mucosal cell growth. Plantain fruit may also decrease the ability of bad bacteria to attach to the mucosal wall. The Cinnamon, vitamin C and astaxanthin also support GI health by protecting the mucosa and decreasing bacterial load and inhibiting H. Pylori.
By combining proven prebiotics and targeted GI health ingredients, Uber Prebiotic is a perfect addition to any GI protocol. For the best bang for your buck, always add
Uber Prebiotic at 1 to 2 tablespoons per day when using
ProFlora or S.B. 1.0.
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