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. |