Nutrition News: The role of prebiotics and gut health

When it comes to gut health, probiotics tend to get all the glory, but the truth is that prebiotics are just as important. These unsung heroes work behind the scenes to nourish the gut microbiome and support overall well-being. Here are reasons why you shouldn’t discount prebiotics in your diet.

Prebiotics 101

Unlike probiotics, which are live microorganisms found in certain foods and supplements that provide health benefits when consumed, prebiotics are non-digestible carbohydrates, or fiber, that pass through the digestive system intact. When they reach the colon, they undergo fermentation by gut bacteria, which helps to nourish them and promote their growth and activity, among other important roles. Prebiotics serve as fuel for the probiotics residing in our gut.

Consuming prebiotics can help maintain a healthy balance of gut bacteria, which in turn may support digestion, boost immune function, alleviate gastrointestinal issues like constipation and diarrhea, enhance nutrient absorption, and potentially reduce the risk of certain diseases. (1)

Prebiotics play a role in gut health and function

Prebiotics play a pivotal role in maintaining gut health and function through various mechanisms:

Promote the growth of beneficial bacteria: Prebiotics fuel probiotics, or the beneficial bacteria in the gut. These bacteria ferment prebiotics, producing short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs). SCFAs play a crucial role in maintaining gut health by improving gut barrier integrity and helping to mediate the immune system. (2)

Help balance gut microbiota: Prebiotics help maintain a diverse and balanced gut microbiota by selectively promoting the growth of beneficial bacteria. This balance is essential for proper digestion, nutrient absorption and immune function.

Improve digestive health: By stimulating the growth of beneficial bacteria and enhancing microbial diversity, prebiotics can support healthy digestion and alleviate digestive issues such as constipation, diarrhea and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). (3)

Strengthen immune function: The gut microbiota is critical in regulating the 70% of the immune system found in the gut. Prebiotics help support healthy gut microbiota, enhancing immune function and reducing the risk of infections.

Protect against pathogens: Beneficial bacteria supported by prebiotics can help prevent the colonization of harmful pathogens in the gut, reducing the risk of infections and gut-related diseases. (4)

Prebiotics are found in foods we eat every day

A diverse range of foods contains prebiotics, including fruits like bananas and apples, vegetables like onions, garlic, leeks and asparagus, as well as whole grains like oats and barley.

Harnessing the power of prebiotics with cow colostrum

Colostrum is often referred to as liquid gold because it is packed with essential components that nursing mothers need to jumpstart a newborn’s health after giving birth. While the importance of colostrum for a newborn’s health has long been recognized, today, over 6,000 published studies have shown that colostrum from cows can play an essential role in supporting the health of humans well beyond infancy.

Prebiotics, like oligosaccharides, found in cow colostrum serve as a selective food source for the good bacteria in the gut. In addition to prebiotics, cow colostrum contains protective proteins, growth and immune factors and other nutrients that make it the ultimate superfood for human health, supporting optimal immune and digestive health.

Curious on how to incorporate cow colostrum into your diet?

Life’s First Naturals makes Colostrum Capsules and Powder for Adults as well as Colostrum Chewables and Powder for Kids. The powders are an easy way to positively enhance recipes like smoothies, shakes, yogurt and other similar types of food and beverage that don’t require heat with beneficial immune and gut components found in colostrum.

I like Life’s First Naturals because it’s powered by ColostrumOne™, which is ethically collected from Grade A dairies in the USA, undergoes stringent quality and safety testing. The comprehensive source of immune factors, protective proteins, growth factors and prebiotics found in Life’s First Naturals work together to support one’s health and can be proven through the numerous studies conducted. You can purchase Life’s First Naturals Colostrum products on Amazon.