Prebiotics
We all know about probiotics but what are prebiotics? Like probiotics they are vital to our health; they stimulate the activity and growth of probiotics. They work in tandem with each other and we need them both.
Prebiotics are indigestible carbs that are fermented in gastrointestinal tract; they promote micro flora and reduce pathogenic flora.
Inulins are an important group of prebiotics; they include oligofructose, inulin and fructooligosaccharides (FOS). These are found in foods like onions, leeks, garlic, bananas, Jerusalem artichokes and chicory root.
Another group of prebiotics, known as oligosaccharides, are found in most beans, peas and soy.
These foods may cause bloating and gas in some people but these would usually ease off with time.
In fact, one of the reasons breast milk is so beneficial for babies is because it contains large amounts of prebiotics!
What do they do?
By improving digestion, they ease constipation, flatulence and haemorrhoids
By supporting friendly bacteria they prevent IBS, candida, fungal overgrowth and small intestine bacterial overgrowth (SIBO)
By restoring healthy intestinal flora they prevent carcinogens and reduce gastrointestinal tract cancers, especially colon cancer
By increasing micro flora they help with inflammatory processes, skin diseases such as Rosacea, Rheumatoid Arthritis and Allergies like asthma and eczema. Those who suffer with these conditions are normally deficient in prebiotics.
Supplements containing the agave seem effective but, as always, I would always recommend getting prebiotics from food. Make these part of your diet, you will be happy with the results.
