Prebiotics - Galacto-Oligosaccharides (GOS)

Prebiotics powder: Food for intestinal flora

Prebiotics are important nutrients that support the growth of good bacteria in the intestines.  Planting "seeds" (probiotics) and adding "manure" (prebiotics) in the garden called microbiome is effective, easy and sensible.  In contrast to probiotics, prebiotics do not contain living bacteria but serve to sustain probiotics along with already present intestinal flora.

Role of intestinal flora

The role of the intestinal flora in the human body is increasingly seen as that of a control center.  Maintaining adequate diversity and quality is therefore very important.  High-fiber fermented foods support the intestines, but probiotics and prebiotics can both play important supplementary roles.

Fermentation of prebiotics in the lower digestive tract

Prebiotic fibers are not digested by humans and therefore have no direct nutritive value.  Intact prebiotic fibers pass through the stomach and the upper part of the small intestine.  In the lower part of the small intestine and in the large intestine, the fibers are fermented by various types of bacteria and yeast species.  In exchange for this nutrient supply, the latter produce a host of substances of use to their human host.

Prebiotics Powder: Benefits

•     Combine with Kefir Probiotic
•     The slightly sweet taste of the probiotic powder makes that it can be used as a sweetener
•     Particularly effective and easy to dose because the powder is fine in texture and dissolves easily
•     The powder can be combined with probiotics with which it has a synergistic effect
•     Because of its natural origin, the powder is completely free of allergens and contains no synthetic additives

Fibers in exchange for nutrients

Among other things, intestinal micro-organisms produce vitamins, endocannabinoids and short chain fatty acids, such as butyrate, lactate, acetate and propionate.  These fatty acids have amazing effects in the body and they are part of the essence of the cooperation between all mammals and their intestinal flora.  Prebiotics are referred to as soluble fiber, while insoluble fiber (food fibers) is best known for promoting bowel regularity.

Galacto-oligosaccharides: The ultimate prebiotics

Galacto-oligosaccharides (GOS) are a specific form of prebiotic galactose sugars.  They are one of more than 200 biologically active sugars found naturally in breast milk.  They thus belong to the group of Human Milk Oligosaccharide (HMO) carbohydrates.  They are complex in structure and have a broad spectrum of biological effects that go well beyond providing nutrition to infants.

Their primary function as a prebiotic remains central in adults.  On the basis of available research, GOS may be considered as the ultimate prebiotics.  They ensure growth of intestinal bacteria superior to the effects of other types of prebiotics including fructo-oligosaccharides (FOS), xylooligosachariden (XOS), soy oligosaccharides (SOS), inulin, lactulose, and so on. GOS are extremely well tolerated and can even be combined with a FODMAP diet.

Dietary choices and fibers

The food you ingest is not just for yourself but also for the trillions of microbes in your gut.  You always eat for two, and in making food choices you should always take into consideration the wishes of the intestinal flora: your perennial table partner.  Because more than 99% of all genes and about 9 in 10 cells in your body are bacterial in nature, it is important to think “ecologically” and, accordingly, in terms of sustainability.

In short, you have to maintain, nurture and develop this vital organ.  If you do this well than the effects on your body may amaze you.  The many ways in which micro-organisms have interactions with your diet can all be optimized. For example, not only do they facilitate digestion of fiber and production of fatty acids, vitamins, and hydrogen, but they also consume calories.  Eating a variety of prebiotic fiber and natural exposure to bacteria are central to the optimization of these functions.

Synbiotics: The effective combination of pre- and probiotics

Prebiotics enhance and complement the action of probiotics such as kefir fermented capsules.  With such a combination you directly provide not only a variety of bacteria and yeast species but also the soil, or nutrients, they thrive on. In this way, prebiotics are a natural fertilizer for optimizing microbial viability and ecological robustness.

The effects of such a synbiotic combination outperforms several times those of stand-alone prebiotics or probiotics.  Consider this when embarking on optimizing your personal microbiome.

Hydrogen production: What you did not know

The largest output of fiber consumption by the intestinal flora are short-chain fatty acids and gases such as hydrogen and carbon dioxide.  The former are usually in the spotlight as they are extremely beneficial to the body.  Hydrogen gas (H2), on the other hand, is widely but wrongly ignored.  With oxygen, hydrogen is deeply intertwined with the emergence of life on earth and its evolution.  The balance of oxygen and hydrogen, or oxidation and reduction, is essential in living organisms.  Until recently, the attention of researchers was especially drawn to the role of oxygen while hydrogen was largely ignored.  Fortunately, we have seen many changes here.

Hydrogen is interesting because it works as a selective antioxidant that neutralizes the most dangerous free radicals (hydroxyl radicals).  This property is unique and critical, because other radicals, which are important for the functioning of the body, are left unaffected.  As an important signal molecule, moreover, hydrogen activates other antioxidant enzymes, proteins and cell-protective functions.

To enjoy the benefits of hydrogen gas, you do not have to spend money on expensive therapies or gadgets.  Simply peruse your body's very own hydrogen production system: the intestinal flora.  Hydrogen gas produced in the intestines diffuses rapidly into other tissues and can thus effectively reach mitochondria and cell nuclei throughout adjacent tissues.

Details

•    Name: Prebiotics - Galacto-oligosaccharides (GOS)
•    Brand: Ergomax
•    Contents: 400 grams
•    Specifics: 100 percent pure and natural
•    Ingredients per serving: As indicated on the label (see images).
•    Additional information: Rapid absorption and easy to combine with probiotics
•    Recommended use: Mix 12 grams per day (about 4 teaspoons) with a liquid of choice.
•    Allergens: none reported.