Prebiotics for Gut Pain and Immune Health
by Vanita Dahia
Do you suffer with gut pain, bloating and food intolerances or sensitivities?
Research has shown that prebiotics although discovered in the late 1990’s has been used for its health benefits as long as man has been alive.
Prebiotics are a type of dietary fiber that act as food for the good bacteria living in your gut. These good bacteria, like Bifidobacteria and Lactobacilli, help with digestion, nutrient absorption, and immune function. Prebiotics are found naturally in various foods like:
Chicory root, Jerusalem artichokes, Garlic, Onions, Whole wheat, Oats, Bananas (especially less ripe ones)
Types of Prebiotics
⦁ Arabinogalactans, Slippery Elm, Marshmallow
⦁ Lactoferrins, lacto-albumins
⦁ Galacto-oligo-saccharides (GOS) increase beneficial bacteria, bloating, pain and diarrhoea
⦁ Fructo-oligo-sacharides (FOS) may cause increased gas, bloating, and stomach pain especially fructose intoleerant
⦁ Inulin is found in many foods but may need to used with caution in SIBO as it will initiate mast cell induced constipation
⦁ Partially hydrolysed guar gum (PHGG) increases the SCFA synthesis, short and medium-length galactomannans in the colon.
Newer generation Prebiotics
It’s a paradox as these new-gen prebiotics are as old as man has been around.
PHGG is a plant derived gum which supports intestinal tissue health and improves structural integrity of the gastro-intestinal epithelium. PHGG also supports production of a SCFA called Butyrate and improves the abundance of Clostridiales order such as Faecalibacterium and Fusicatenibacter.
Serum-derived bovine immunoglobulin (SBI) protein isolate are active immune enhancers. SBI’s directly bind to microbial components in digestive tract with no interference of growth or composition of the commensal intestinal microbiome.
2 Flucolysate found in Human Milk Oligosaccharides exclusively favours growth of beneficial bacteria. I addition, 2-FL is
- Bifidogenic
- Butyrogenic
- Binds pathogenic Bacteria
The question arises – do we use antimicrobials or nurture the mucosal immunity and diversity of the gut?
New generation pre and probiotics have been shown to improve microbial diversity, build short chain fatty acids, boost bifidobacterium and binds to pathogenic microbes.
The research on prebiotics for gut pain is ongoing and not entirely conclusive. Studies have shown that prebiotis are beneficial for
⦁ Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
⦁ Irritable bowel disease (IBD)
⦁ bloating
⦁ flatulence
⦁ abdominal pain
⦁ diverticulitis
Educational Webinar
Prebiotics for Gut Pain and Immune Health
In this webinar, you will learn:
➡ Key criteria that define a healthy gut
➡ How stress and inflammation drive functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs)
➡ How to measure the immune regulators
➡ New generation prebiotics for immune regulation
➡ Evidence of prebiotic and probiotic requirements
Test for Gut Function
Test for Gut Function – Microbiome, SIBO, IBS, Reflux, Coeliac, Leaky Gut, Crohn’s
