Prebiotics: Constipation Cure and More!

Despite the knowledge about all the benefits that prebiotics can have for human health (constipation cure, cancer fighters, cholesterol levels, etc…) the typical American diets is chronically low in this crucial form of soluble (non-digestible) fiber. If you are looking for a primer on prebiotics, check out this article introducing probiotics and their use in providing relief for constipation.

What are the benefits of prebiotics?

• Increased absorption of nutrients - many probiotics release acids as by-products when they eat prebiotics in the intestines. This lowers the overall ph of the stomach and makes the environment for nutrient absorption much better. Studies have shown that calcium and magnesium absorption are higher with prebiotics (important to remember if you have osteoporosis).


• They fight bad bacteria - the lower ph mentioned above also has the benefit of making the intestinal tract less hospitable to disease causing microbes like E. Coli & Clostridia. These bacteria have more trouble attaching themselves to the walls of your intestines while the beneficial bacteria benefit from this environment, giving them an edge in the war going on in your colon!


• Cancer Prevention - prebiotics can be beneficial in preventing cancer in numerous different ways. They can bind directly with carcinogens and prevent the growth of tumors. Additionally, when probiotics feed on them, they produce butyrate, a short-chain fatty acid. Butyrate is being studied for its ability to induce cancer cells to self-destruct and for its role in feeding the beneficial bacteria in the stomach while starving microbes.


• Constipation Cure - by helping feed the growth of probiotics and thereby release a plethora of short-chain fatty acids into the colon, prebiotics are literally the nutrition your beneficial bacteria need to combat constipation. Chronic use of antibiotics (not to mention the antibiotics in our meat), high sugar diets, and low soluble fiber dietary intake make prebiotics essential if you are looking for a constipation cure. They not only support the good bacteria, but also act as a giant broom through your colon – cleaning out waste and preventing conditions like diverticulosis.



Prebiotics for your health

Prebiotics will continue to gain in popularity as we gain a better understanding as to how these overlooked aspects of a healthy diet provide not only a constipation cure, but remedies for a whole variety of common problems. If you are looking for a natural laxative, look for one that incorporate both prebiotics and probiotics for the optimal synergistic effect.