Physiological efficacy
Prebiotics can promote the growth and reproduction of beneficial intestinal bacteria in the body, form a micro-ecological competitive advantage, optimize the intestinal micro-ecological balance, and then improve immunity to maintain body health. At the same time, it can improve the intestinal microecology. For example, oligosaccharides can promote the proliferation of intestinal beneficial bacteria Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus, while the short-chain fatty acids and some antibacterial substances produced by the metabolism of beneficial bacteria can directly inhibit external Growth and reproduction of source pathogenic bacteria and enteric spoilage bacteria such as Bacteroides, Clostridium and Escherichia coli
Probiotics and Prebiotics
Bifido factor function of prebiotics: Most of the prebiotics identified so far can promote the proliferation of bifidobacteria, and the mechanism of action is that prebiotics selectively stimulate the proliferation of bifidobacteria in numerous flora in the gut. This may be due to the fact that Bifidobacterium grows relatively more efficiently using this type of substrate than other microorganisms, and can tolerate short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) and the acidifying microenvironment caused by fermentation. Analysis of the Bifidobacterium longum genome revealed a large number of protein sequences specialized in the catabolism of various carbohydrates, which undoubtedly contribute to competitiveness in the gut environment
Prebiotics can induce a 10-100-fold increase in the bifidobacteria flora in the gut, and Rao (1999) concluded an experiment on FOS that the effect of prebiotics on bifidobacteria is inversely proportional to the original size of the bifidobacteria. The effect was greater than the effect of prebiotic doses.
Prebiotic soluble dietary fiber characteristics: Oligosaccharide prebiotics have the basic characteristics of soluble dietary fiber. For example, it can reduce the pH value of feces; reduce toxic metabolites; increase the volume and water content of feces, accelerate intestinal peristalsis, and relieve constipation; it has the functions of cleansing bowels, detoxification and detoxification. In addition, oligosaccharide prebiotics also have good digestion resistance, are not easily decomposed by enzymes in saliva, pancreatic juice, and intestinal juice, and can reach the large intestine all the way to be metabolized by intestinal bacteria.
Health effects of prebiotics: Although the mechanism of action of prebiotics is largely theoretical, plausible hypotheses that can be adopted include improving the activity of the microbiota and the metabolic activity of the microbiota, with the benefits of enhancing intestinal colonization resistance, Promotes mineral absorption, improves immunity, nutrition and anti-tumor effects of short-chain fatty acids (SCFA), laxatives and reduces harmful microbial metabolism
Improve and prevent constipation. The intake of functional oligosaccharides by the human body leads to an increase in the amount of bifidobacteria. The fermentation of oligosaccharides by bifidobacteria in the intestine produces a large amount of short-chain fatty acids such as acetic acid and lactic acid, which can promote intestinal peristalsis, increase feces moisture, and maintain a certain The osmotic pressure can improve and prevent constipation. Studies have shown that daily consumption of 6-12g of oligosaccharides has obvious anti-constipation effects within a week
Promote the absorption of mineral elements. After microbial fermentation, oligosaccharide prebiotics can reduce the pH value of the intestinal tract and improve the solubility of minerals, thereby promoting the absorption of minerals such as calcium and magnesium in the large intestine. The study found that FOS supplementation can increase the absorption of calcium and magnesium in rats, increase the content of calcium in the femur, and prevent the occurrence of coprophagia, especially the stimulating effect of FOS on magnesium absorption. The intake of GOS can not only effectively promote the absorption of calcium in the intestine, but also reduce the absorption of sodium in the intestine and increase the absorption rate of potassium.
Immune regulation, anti-tumor. Prebiotics can be used by beneficial bacteria such as bifidobacteria and lactobacilli to produce metabolites, which in turn can promote their digestion, growth and proliferation, thereby stimulating the growth of intestinal immune organs, increasing the activity of macrophages, and improving the body's antibody levels. The immunomodulatory effect of oligosaccharide prebiotics has proved that oligosaccharides can significantly increase the number of antibody-forming cells and the activity of NK cells, and enhance immune function. A large number of animal experiments have shown that the massive proliferation of bifidobacteria in the intestinal tract has an anti-cancer effect. This effect is attributed to the cells of bifidobacteria, and the substances between the cell walls and cells improve the immunity of the body.
Regulate fat metabolism. Prebiotics can also affect fat metabolism. Experiments on diabetic rats showed that the serum cholesterol and triglyceride of the sick rats decreased after the use of xylo-oligosaccharides to replace the sugar in the diet. The same experiment was done for FOS, and it can be seen from the experimental results that blood lipids were reduced.
soybean oligosaccharide
Prebiotics are fermented by beneficial bacteria in the body to produce short-chain fatty acids, such as acetic acid, propionic acid, butyric acid, lactic acid, etc. These organic acids can reduce the pH value and ammonia concentration in the intestinal tract and effectively inhibit the production of intestinal spoilage products. , and promote intestinal peristalsis and promote defecation, but also improve lipid metabolism.
Other studies have confirmed that oligosaccharide prebiotics can reduce the pH value of the intestinal tract after being fermented by microorganisms, which leads to the dissolution of the complex composed of calcium, phosphate and magnesium formed in the small intestine, which is beneficial to the intestinal tract. The absorption of minerals such as calcium and magnesium is of great significance for promoting the growth of children and preventing osteoporosis. 1
Prebiotics can also enhance human immunity. Bifidobacterium, Lactobacillus and other beneficial bacteria use the nutrition of prebiotics to promote their own growth and proliferation, thereby stimulating macrophages to produce activity, and the activated macrophages will secrete antibiotics. It will also promote the division and proliferation of lymphocytes, so that the intestinal immune organs grow, thereby improving the body's immunity. 1
Regular consumption of prebiotics in the daily diet will be beneficial to human nutrition and health. You can add fructooligosaccharides to breakfast cereals such as oatmeal and crisp rice flakes, and you can also consume oligosaccharide-rich beverages, candy, cakes and health food. , For infants who cannot be breastfed and must rely on artificial feeding, in order to help improve their intestinal barrier function, infant milk products with added fructooligosaccharides and galactooligosaccharides can be selected.