Metagenics Ultra Flora Synergy - 50g

PREBIOTICS / FOS

More and more we are understanding the importance of 'good bacteria' in our gut...

A balanced gut flora helps to promote health absorption and digestion, and significantly improves and regulates our immune function. What many people do not know is that FOS, or 'prebiotics', can help to naturally increase our production of 'healthy bacteria', no live cells required.

The difference between prebiotics and probiotics is that prebiotics are considered a dietary fibre that promotes the growth of bacteria having positive effects on the intestinal flora. On the other hand probiotics are living micro-organisms contained in the food we eat. They stay intact throughout the digestive process and deliver healthy bacteria to the large intestine. Having healthy bacteria in the intestines can provide a number of different health benefits including healthy digestion and absorption of calcium.

Prebiotics are defined based on 3 criteria;
1) The (food) source must be non-digestible and resistant to gastric acidity, hydrolysis by intestinal digestive enzymes, and gastrointestinal absorption.
2) It must be fermentable
3) should, in a selective way, stimulate growth and/or metabolic activity of intestinal bacteria, which it does at the expense of pathogenic bacteria.

Two specific fructooligosaccharides (FOS), inulin and oligofructose, are considered by Marcel Roberfroid, the man who both discovered and named prebiotics in 1995, to be the only sources to fully meet his definition of prebiotics.

Although a food cannot be considered a prebiotic, certain foods can be a rich source of prebiotic or have higher prebiotic potential. Foods with a high inulin content, for example include Jerusalem artichoke, onion, garlic, and chicory root. These foods are said to selectively increase the production of both the lactic acid producing bacteria (Lactobacillus species) and the bifidobacterium species of 'beneficial' bacteria. FOS is a form of fibre, meaning it also has the added benefit of being able to regulate blood sugar, applicable not only to individuals with diabetes or prediabetic, but helpful for those looking to control cravings and weight gain. Fibre has also been shown to help to lower cholesterol.

A synbiotic diet is one that is high in both prebiotic and probiotic foods/supplements. Pre and probiotics when taken together enhance each others' effects. This is why many companies are now including prebiotic fibre/FOS/inulin in with the live cells of a probiotic. Prebiotics can be taken this way, in capsule form, or in powder. Some companies are now combining these rich prebiotic substances with protein, multi mineral combinations and greens to increased overall health.

PREBIOTICS / FOS – QUICK FACTS

FOOD SOURCES
· Jerusalem artichoke, onion, garlic, chicory root.

INDICATIONS
· (GI) Inflammation or other immune imbalance, constipation, diarrhea, malabsorption, blood sugar imbalance, high cholesterol.

OPTIMUM DOSAGE
· Unknown.

WORKS WELL WITH
· probiotic supplements, other soluble and insoluble fibres, like flax.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION
· Remember when increasing fibre it is also important to equally increase water intake.