We were just at Expo West in Anaheim, California all weekend long, exhibiting our bars and oatmeal. Many questions came up about our probiotic source as well as about prebiotics. Our oatmeal, coupled with the added probiotic of Ganeden BC 30 ( Bacillus coagulans GBI-30, 6086), makes a complete “pre & pro” biotic breakfast.
To help educate consumers, we found a great article about prebiotics and probiotic benefits from Mayoclinic.com.
In summary, this very informative article lists flax, wheat & whole grains: such as oatmeal, and barely all as great sources for prebiotics.
Check it out: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/prebiotics/AN02032
Prebiotics: What are they?
What are prebiotics? How are they different from probiotics, and what health benefits do they offer?
Answer from Katherine Zeratsky, R.D., L.D.
Prebiotics are nondigestible nutrients that are used as an energy source by certain beneficial bacteria that naturally live in your intestines. Prebiotics are sometimes known as fermentable fiber.
Probiotics, in contrast, are the beneficial, or friendly, bacteria themselves. By acting as a food source, prebiotics give the probiotic bacteria a chance to exert their influence. These friendly bacteria may have several health benefits, from aiding digesting to boosting immunity. But stress, a poor diet, certain medical conditions, medications and other factors may decrease the number of healthy bacteria. Eating a diet that includes prebiotics and probiotics may help restore these friendly bacteria.
The role of prebiotics in the treatment of disease is controversial, and more studies are needed to determine their usefulness. But preliminary evidence shows that prebiotics may have a role in:
- Improving antibiotic-associated diarrhea
- Improving traveler’s diarrhea
- Improving gastroenteritis
- Normalizing bowel function
- Improving colitis
- Reducing irritable bowel problems
- Aiding calcium absorption
- Boosting your immune system
Prebiotics occur naturally in a variety of foods, especially high-fiber foods, including certain fruits, vegetables and grains. The main food sources of prebiotics include:
- Artichokes
- Bananas
- Barley
- Berries
- Chicory
- Dairy products
- Flax
- Garlic
- Greens, such as dandelion greens, chard and kale
- Honey
- Leeks
- Legumes
- Onions
- Wheat and whole grains, such as oatmeal
There’s no specific guideline on how many grams of prebiotics to consume. Some studies suggest that you should get 3 to 8 grams a day to get the full benefits. In some cases, use of prebiotics may cause intestinal gas. As always, check with your doctor before taking any dietary or herbal supplements to make sure they’re safe for your situation.
(Please note: This article was posted for informational purposes. Neither the author of this article nor Mayo Clinic have any affiliation with, nor do they directly promote Pop Culture Probiotics.) For more information please email info@popcultureprobiotics.com.
Your bars look so yummy! I hope more people will begin to see how amazing probiotics are for us. Our family takes Vidazorb chewables and we love them. I have learned since taking them how important they can be for all of us! Way to go!!!