Inulin

Inulin is a nondigestible fiber that nourishes the growth of probiotics which are "good bacteria".

Probiotics are necessary for your health. Lactobacillus and Bifidobacteria, two of the active bacteria in yogurt,  decrease viral and bacterial diarrhea, aid digestion and mineral absorption, suppress the growth of many harmful bacteria and yeasts, and produce cancer-preventing and even tumor-reducing enzymes.

Lactose-intolerant people cannot eat yogurt or take probiotic blends to maintain a healthy colon.  Most probiotics are only somewhat effective since bacteria do not always make it through your digestive tract alive to make it to the bowel. 

Inulin is a prebiotics that cannot be used by the harmful bacteria in your body.   Bifidobacteria stimulates immune function and produces class-B complex vitamins.  It suppress the growth of certain pathogenic gut bacteria. This is though to be the main reason breast-fed infants have fewer intestinal infections than bottle-fed infants. 

While inulin is not well known as a supplement, it is a natural long-chain sugar found in more than 35,000 plants and vegetables around the world.  It is found in Aloe Vera juice and Echinacea which are immunomodulators.  Dahlia tubers, Chicory roots, burdock roots, dandelion roots and greens have the highest food concentrations.

Australian aborigines (19th century) consumed 200-300 grams of inulin per day through the murnong plant (Gott, 1984). Western Europe (16th century) consumed 35 grams per day.

Chemically, it's a non-digestible carbohydrate in the class of fiber substances called fructans.  Purified inulin is extracted by a natural hot water distilling process from chicory root.  Because inulin is a soluble fiber, it helps maintain normal bowel function and decreases constipation, lowers cholesterol and triglycerides, and helps normalize blood sugar levels.

Inulin fruit oligosaccharides (FOS) has a glycemic index of zero. In other words, it doesn't raise blood sugar or require insulin to metabolize it, in fact, you can't digest it at all and it must be broken down by the correct beneficial intestinal flora. This is a particular benefit to energy and weight management systems, along with sports nutritional and diabetic applications. Everyone would benefit from more fiber in his or her diet and this is particularly true for diabetics. 

Recent studies have also found that inulin/FOS supports proper absorption of minerals, especially calcium, magnesium and iron. This has broad appeal for helping the elderly and those at risk for developing osteoporosis.

The information above has not escaped the notice of the health food industry. In the US, Stonyfield Farms yogurt already incorporates this incredibly useful food, and Island Farms has taken the intiative to be the first dairy product manufacturer in Canada to put inulin and calcium in a new non-fat yogurt line (1% inulin).

Let's get this valuable product on the shelves and in your pantry, folks. In my view it's also a solid entry in the 'miracle supplement' category that interests most readers, and I'm telling you that to improve and maintain your health, stabilize your digestion and increase your immune responses, without question this is one food you should have a little of every day.