Category Archives: Prebiotics

Probiotic and Prebiotics. What is the difference?

Probiotics and prebiotics are terms that have become increasingly part of normal language. Probiotics refers to whole microorganisms that can live within the human gut as part of the normal microbiota. Probiotics can be ingested in the form of foods, … Continue reading

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The Post-Antibiotic Era: Probiotics and Predatory Bacteria

It is undeniable that the advent of antibiotics saved a large number of lives of people who would otherwise have died of bacterial infection. Penicillin was the first widely available antibiotic, but since this time a large number of antibiotics … Continue reading

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Gut Instinct: The Gut-Liver Axis

The gut-liver axis describes the physiological links between the gut and the liver and how one affects the other. In this regard the health of the gut has a direct influence on the health of the liver and vice versa. … Continue reading

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Zonulin: Gut Integrity

Zonulin is an important protein that maintains the integrity of the gut wall in humans. It is secreted by enterocytes and its production is stimulated by probiotics. Probiotics are microorganisms found in foods that can colonise the human gut. The … Continue reading

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Stress and Prebiotics

The mammalian gastrointestinal tract contains considerable neuronal tissue and is capable of releasing many of the same hormones and neurotransmitters found in the brain. Recent research suggests that there may be bidirectional communication between the gut tissue and the central … Continue reading

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Inulin, Oligofructose and Immunity

Inulin and oligofructose are non-digestible carbohydrates that are present in vegetables, cereals and fruits. They belong to a category of carbohydrates that are constructed of chains of fructose molecules called fuctans. Structurally inulins are linear fructans (10 to 60 fructose … Continue reading

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