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Inulin Promotes Good Digestive Health Inulin is a natural dietary fiber extracted from the chicory root that has been well known in Europe for many years for its positive influence on digestive health. At the heart of inulin's beneficial effects is its ability to stimulate your body's own health promoting "friendly bacteria". These "friendly bacteria" are known to scientists as Bifidobacteria and have an important impact on digestive health. (1,2,3,4) Many people don't think about how important the digestive system is to overall health and well being. You use your digestive system all day every day to get the nutrients your body needs for physical and mental performance. Further, these same nutrients nourish other parts of our bodies such as our skin or hair to help them look healthy. Remember, you have one digestive system and it needs to last your whole life so it's important to take care of it. Most of us have abused our GI system at one point or another in our lives. When was the last time you ate or drank too much, or skipped a meal? How did it make you feel? So as you can see, the digestive system is clearly an important part of optimal health. Now, what do we mean by digestive health? Digestive Motility/Regularity Digestive Motility or regularity is a key component of GI health because as the GI System is digesting food, moving it through the body, and eliminating waste, it is important that the body is not exposed to waste materials or toxins for prolonged periods of time. These wastes, if they remain in contact with the body for too long, may act as irritants and potentially carcinogens to the colon. A more immediate consequence of decreased motility or regularity is experienced in the physical discomfort that often accompanies constipation. In addition, prolonged periods of constipation can also lead to other conditions such as hemorrhoids that are both uncomfortable, and often painful. It is well recognized by the general population that when people are regular they feel their best. Many studies have documented the favorable effects of inulin on various
aspects of digestive health. In each of these studies, two of the parameters
measured are fecal weight and frequency. Inulin consistently increases
both fecal weight and frequency. (6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14,15,16,17) The second component of digestive health is digestive efficiency. A key function of the digestive system is the effective absorption of nutrients.(5) Inulin has been shown to increase the efficiency of the digestive system in several ways. Human clinical studies show that the ingestion of inulin significantly increases the absorption of calcium in the diet by making the digestive system more efficient at absorbing calcium. In addition, animal models show that inulin increases the size and absorptive capacity of the digestive tract.19 As noted previously, inulin significantly increases the levels of beneficial Bifidobacteria in the digestive tract. In addition to their other contributions, these bacteria are known to produce vitamins and enzymes that may also help contribute to the efficiency of the digestive process.20,21 Finally, in order to have good digestive health it is essential for the digestive tract to remain free from both acute and chronic G.I. illness. An example of acute illness would be bouts of diarrheal disease, general "stomach upset" as well as vomiting. 22,23,24,25-30,31,33 Conversely, a type of chronic G.I. disease would be colon cancer. Both inulin and Bifidobacteria have been shown in human clinical trials to decrease the incidence and severity of acute G.I. illness. In addition, animal models suggest inulin may have a protective effect against cancer.34-44 The link between inulin and resistance to acute G.I. illness lies once again in the role of beneficial bacteria in the G.I. tract. Inulin increases levels of Bifidobacteria in the colon which have been shown to produce natural materials that fight potentially harmful bacteria including salmonella, campylobacter and E. Coli. 32 In human clinical trials testing infants and children, oligofructose (a component of inulin) was shown to decrease the severity of diarrheal disease as well as lower the incidence of fever and reduce the absenteeism rate of children in daycare centers. The incidence of vomiting and "spitting up" was also reduced. A number of other studies have also demonstrated the efficacy of Bifidobacteria in protecting against diarrheal disease. Several animal model studies dealing with pre-cancerous lesions of the colon have shown that both inulin and Bifidobacteria are protective against the formation of these lesions. The combination of inulin and Bifidobacteria administered together was shown to be more effective than either administered separately in protecting against these lesions. As you can see, inulin provides a wide variety of benefits aimed at supporting your digestive health and your digestive health is vital to maintaining your overall health. Stonyfield yogurt with its combination of inulin and six live active cultures is a great natural way to help boost your digestive systems natural defenses to keep you feeling your best every day. Refrences Buddington, R., Weiher, E., (1999) The Application of Ecological Principles and Fermentable Fibers to Manage the Gastrointestinal Tract Ecosystem. J. Nutr. 129: 1446S-1450S Camilleri, M., Ford, M. (1998) Review article: colonic sensorimotor physiology in health, and its alteration in constipation and diarrhoeal disorders. Aliment Pharmacol Ther, 12: 287-302 Catiglia-Delavaud, C., Verdier, E., Besle, J.M., Vernet, J., Boirie, Y., Beaufrere, B., DeBaynast, R. & Vermorel, M., (1998) Net energy value of non-starch polysaccharide isolates (sugarbeet fibre and commercial inulin) and their impact on nutrient digestive utilization in healthy human subjects. BR. J. Nutr. 80: 343-52 Clausen, M., Jorgensen, J., Mortensen, B., (1998) Comparison of Diarrhea Induced by Ingestion of Fructooligosaccharide Idolax and Disaccharide Latulose Role of Osmolarity Versus Fermentation of Malabsorbed Carbohydrate. Digestive Diseases and Sciences, 43: 2696-2707 Cooper,P., (1986) The anti-melanoma activity of inulin in mice. Molecular Immunology. 23(8) 903-908 Den Hond, E., Geypens, B., Ghoos, Y. (1997) Long -chain chicory inulin positively affects bowel habits in healthy subjects with a low stool frequency. Abstracts of NDO Symposium, Wageningen. Den Hond, E., Geypens, B., Ghoos, Y. (2000) Effect Of High Performance Chicory Inulin on Constipation. Nutrition Research, 20: 731-736 Deol, H., Palmer, D., Dunsmore, T., Carnegie, P., (1995) The influence of gamma inulin and Algamulin on the immune response in sheep to a recombinant antigen of Taenia ovis Vaccine. 13: 429-33 Diez, M., Hornick, J.-L., Baldwin, P. & Istasse, L. (1997) Influence of a blend of fructo-oligosaccharides and sugar beet fiber on nutrient digestibility and plasma metabolite concentrations in healthy beagles. Am. J. Vet. Res. 58, 1238-42. Duffy, L., Leavens, A., Griffiths, E., Dryja, D., (1999) Perspectives on Bifidobacteria as Biotherapeutic Agents in Gastrointestinal Health. Digestive Diseases and Sciences. 44: 1499-1505 Gallaher, D., Stallings, W., Blessing, L., Busta, F., Brady, L., (1996) Probiotics, cecal microflora and aberrant crypts in the rat colon. J. Nutr. 126(5): 1362-1371 Gibson, G., Roberfroid, M., (1995) Dietary Modulation of the Human Colonic Microbiota: Introducing the Concept of Prebiotics. J. Nutr. 125: 1401-1412 Gibson, G.R., Beatty, E.R., Wang, X. & Cummings, J.H. (1995) Selective stimulation of bifidobacteria in the human colon by oligofructose and inulin, Gastroenterology, 108: 975-82. Gismondo, M., Drago, L., Lombardi, A., (1999) Review of probiotics available to modify gastrointestinal flora. International Journal of Antimicrobial Agents. 12: 287-292 Hidaka, H., Eida, T., Takizawa, T., Tokunaga, T., Tashiro, Y., (1986) Effects of Fructooligosaccharides on Intestinal Flora and Human Health. Bifidobacteria Microflora, 5(1): 37-50 Iwana, H., Kato, M., Suzuki, H., (1990) Effect of Bifidobacterium culture on disaccharidases and morphology of pig small intestine. Dairy Science Abstracts. 1: 182 Jenkins, D., Kendall, C., Vuksan, V. (1999) Inulin, Oligofructose and Intestinal Function. J.Nutr. 129: 1431S-1433S Kalantzopoulos, G., (1997) Fermented products with probiotic qualities. Anaerobe. 3: 185-190 Kleeßen, B., Sykura, B. & Zunft, H.J. (1997) Effect of inulin and lactose on fecal microflora, microbial activity, and bowel habit in elderly constipated persons. Am. J. Clin. Nutr. 65, 1397-1402. Kok, N., Taper, H.S. & Delzenne, N.M. (1998c) Oligofructose modulates lipiid metabolism alterations induced by a fat-rich diet in rats. J. Appl. Toxicol. 18, 47-53. Komoda, A., Katsunuma, E., Uchida, M., (1988) Growth promoter for
Bifidobacterium species, process for preparing same and method of using
the same. Menne, E., Guggenbühl, M., Absolonne, J., Dupont, A. (1997) Prebiotic effect of the (fructosyl-fructose) Fm-type inulin hydrolysate in humans. Abstracts of NDO Symposium, Wageningen, p. 164. Mitsuoka, T., (1990) Bifidobacteria and their role in human health. Journal of Industrial Microbiology, 6: 263-268 Rao, D., Verghese, M. Chawan, C., Shakelford, L. (1999) Suppression of AOM-induced colon and small intestinal tumors in rats by long chain inulin. Intl. Conference on diet and prevention of cancer May 28-June 2, Tampere, Finland Rasic, J., (1992) Bifidobacteria and diarrhoea control in infants and young children. International Clinical Nutrition Review. 12: 27-30 Reddy,D., Hamid, R., Rao, C., (1997) Effects of dietary oligofructose and inulin on colonic preneoplastic aberrant crypt foci inhibition. Carcinogenesicis. 18(7): 1371-1374 Reuter, G., Romond, C., Romond, M., Mitsuoka, T., (1990) Current research into Bifidobacterium. Dairy Science Abstracts. 53: 20 Roberfroid, M. (1996) Functional Effects of Food Components and the Gastrointestinal System: Chicory Fructooligosaccharides. Nutrition Reviews, 54, (11) S38-S42 Roberfroid, M. (1997) Health benefits of non-digestible oligosaccharides. In:, Ed. Dietary Fiber in Health and Disease (Ed. By Kritchevsky, D. & Bonfield, Ch.), 211-219, Plenum Press, New York. Roberfroid, M., Gibson, G., Delzenne, N. (1993) Biochemistry of oligofructose, a non-digestible fructooligosaccharide: an approach to estimate its caloric value. Nutr. Rev. 51, 137-146 Roland, N., Nugon-Baudon, L., Szylit, O., (1994a) Influence of dietary fibres on two intestinal transferases in rats inoculated with a whole human faecal flora. R.Soc. Chem. 123: 369-373 Roland, N., Nugon-Baudon, L., Andrieux, C., Szylit, O., (1995) Comparative study of the fermentative characteristics of inulin and different types of fiber in rats inoculated with a human whole fecal flora. Br.J. Nutr. 74(2): 239-249 Roland, N. Nugon-Baudon, L., Flinois, J., Beaune, P., (1994b) Hepatic and intestinal cytochrome P450, glutathion-S-transferase and UDP-glucuronyltransferase are affected by six types of dietary fibre in rats inoculated with human whole faecal flora. J.Nutr. 124(9): 1581-1587 Roland, N. Rabot, S., Nugon-Baudon, L., (1996) Modulation of the biogenical effects of glucosinolates by inulin and oat fibre in gnotobiotic rats inoculated with a whole human flora. Food and Chem Toxicology. 34: 671-677 Romond, C., Romond, M., (1991) Products cultured with Bifidobacterium. Dairy Science Abstracts. 2: 1255-1264 Rowland, I, Rumney, C., Coutts, J., Lievense, L., (1998) Effects of Bifidobacterium longum and inulin on gut bacterial metabolism and carcinogen induced aberrant crypt foci in rats. Carcinogenesis. 19(2): 281-285 Saavedra, J., (2000) Probiotics and infectious diarrhea. American Journal of Gastroenterology. 95/1: S16-S18 Salminen, S., Isolauri, E., Salminen, E., (1996) Clinical uses of probiotics for stabilizing the gut mucosal barrier: successful strains and future challenges. Antonie Van Leeuwenhoek. 70: 347-58 Taper, H., Lemort, C., Roberfroid, M., (1998) Inhibition effect of dietary inulin and oligofructose on the growth of transplantable mouse tumor. Anticancer Research. 18: 4123-4126 Tominaga, S., Hirayama, M., Adachi, T., Tokunaga, T. & Iino, H. (1999) Effects of ingested fructooligosaccharides on stool frequency in healthy female volunteers: a placebo-controlled study. Biosci. Microflora, 18: 49-53. Vanderhoof, J., Young, R.,(1998) Use of Probiotics in Childhood Gastrointestinal Disorders. Journal of Pediaric Gastroenterology and Nutrition. 27: 323-332
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