inulin Archives - Amazing Health Advances

Energizing Green High Fiber Smoothie

AHA Publisher — Wed, 11 May 2022 07:00:25 +0000

Dr. Don Colbert – Need more ways to get enough fiber in your diet? Need more energy? You’re not alone! Fortunately, these two health desires go hand-in-hand. In fact, when you include high fiber foods in your diet, you can improve digestion. Then, better digestion improves many aspects of life, including energy. Ready to start? Try our Energizing Green High Fiber Smoothie today! Energizing Green High Fiber Smoothie Ingredients 3/4 cup plain Greek yogurt or canned coconut milk 1 scoop Keto Zone® Fiber Zone 1 scoop Divine Health® Fermented Green Supremefood® 1 scoop Keto Zone® Hydrolyzed Collagen 1 tablespoon hemp heart seeds 1 stalk celery 1/2 cup strawberries (2-3 large) water and ice as needed for desired consistency Instructions Place all ingredients in a blender. Mix well. Make sure to add water as needed. Add ice to desired consistency. Drink immediately. Makes one serving. Nutrition info: 367 calories, 12 grams fat, 5 grams net carbs (29 grams carbohydrates, 24 grams fiber), 27 grams protein What Can You Get in a Smoothie? 2 Types of Fiber Our Energizing High-Fiber Green Smoothie contains fiber from Keto Zone® Fiber Zone and whole foods. This combination is great for digestive health. In fact, there are 2 primary fibers in the smoothie. INULIN Inulin is a prebiotic fiber. This means it feeds the healthy bacteria and cells in our digestive tracts. This is a good thing because gut bacteria need a healthy food source! Inulin is found in many plants, like chicory root. Interestingly, human digestive tracts can’t break down and digest it. Therefore, inulin is not a nutritive carbohydrate (one that provides calories). Instead, inulin is consumed by healthy bacteria and converted into a short-chain fatty acid that further nourishes colon cells (1). PSYLLIUM HUSK Psyllium husk is made of both soluble (70%) and insoluble fibers (30%). This means twice the benefits. Similar to inulin, the soluble fiber acts as a prebiotic, to feed and fortify healthy gut bacteria. The insoluble fiber passes through the digestive tract, mostly intact. It provides bulk and softness to stools, subtle laxative effects, and can improve digestive health, in addition to other benefits of fiber (2). Why Go High Fiber? Top 10 Health Benefits of Fiber 1. IMPROVED ENERGY & MOOD As described in detail in this post, you can improve the health of many body systems by improving the health of your digestive system. For one, when digestion is working well, your body delivers the nutrients it needs from foods to every system. This means better metabolism and better energy. Incredibly, the consumption of high fiber and the resulting improvement in digestion also affects mood and mental health. The Microbiota-Gut-Brain Axis (the communication between the bacteria and hormones in the gut and the brain) can trigger emotional shifts, mood changes, anxious and depressed moods, and mental impairments (3, 4, 5, 6). 2. GREAT BONE HEALTH Bone health depends on the efficient absorption of vitamins and minerals, including calcium, vitamin K2, vitamin D, and magnesium. Lab studies have found inulin improves the absorption of nutrients, resulting in improved bone density (7, 8). What’s more, studies of children (ages 9-13) have shown better calcium absorption and bone mineralization when taking inulin (9, 10). 3. WEIGHT LOSS AND NORMALIZED APPETITE For those looking to lose weight, inulin and psyllium husk are great choices. Multiple studies show that high fiber can reduce intake and promote healthy weight changes (11, 12). In fact, in one study the “inulin fiber group” lost 2 pounds while the control group gained one. While consuming 21 grams of inulin per day, the inulin group experienced lower hunger-hormone levels and increased fullness (13). 4. OPTIMAL BLOOD SUGARS AND IMPROVED DIABETES CONTROL For those with impaired blood glucose, several studies on inulin and psyllium husk suggest it may help optimize blood sugars (14, 15, 16, 17). How? First, as a fiber, it slows digestion to reduce blood sugar spikes. Second, it has been shown to actually decrease fat in the livers of people with impairments (18). Reducing liver fat can reduce insulin resistance and may help reverse blood sugar issues (19). What’s more, another study showed that 10 grams of inulin per day reduced fasting blood glucose by an average of 8.5% and hemoglobin A1C (HgbA1C) by an average of 10.5% (20). 5. GOOD PROBIOTIC COLONY HEALTH & REDUCED CONSTIPATION Healthy gut bacteria is essential for overall health. Both inulin and psyllium husk stimulate the growth of beneficial bacteria. When these bacteria proliferate, yeast overgrowth is inhibited, digestion improves, and the immune function benefits (21, 22). Inulin and psyllium husk also decrease constipation, hemorrhoids, and other digestion issues. Inulin relieves constipation with soluble fibers; psyllium does so with both soluble and insoluble fibers. For example, one 4-week study found that 15 grams of inulin per day improved constipation in older adults (23). Psyllium husk softens stools and increases stool bulk to reduce constipation and hemorrhoids. 6. LESS DIETARY CARBOHYDRATES AS THICKENERS Inulin improves the texture of manufactured foods. You can use it in home cooking as well. Use inulin powder in low-carbohydrate recipes to thicken sauces, soups, condiments and more. Stir it into a warm liquid and continue stirring until slightly thickened. 7. HEALTHY TRIGLYCERIDE AND CHOLESTEROL LEVELS Psyllium husk and inulin are proven cholesterol reducers. One study concluded that 6 weeks of psyllium intake resulted in lower cholesterol in obese and overweight participants (24). What’s more, another study confirmed that 5 grams of psyllium three times daily for six weeks reduced triglycerides by 26%, compared to the placebo (25). 8. OPTIMAL BLOOD PRESSURE What about blood pressure? Studies have shown that high fiber and psyllium husk can support healthy blood pressure, too! In fact, one study showed a diet with an additional 12 grams of fiber from psyllium reduced systolic blood pressure by 5.9 mm mercury in 36 participants with high blood pressure (26). 9. MAY REDUCE INCIDENCE OF COLON CELL OVERGROWTH Studies have reported inulin as an agent that reduces colon cell overgrowth. A review of 12 animal studies found that 88% of the groups given inulin saw a reduction in pre-malignant colon growths (27). In terms of human studies, one promising experiment showed that inulin caused the colon environment to be less favorable for cell overgrowth (28). 10. LESS LOOSE STOOLS Since fiber promotes reduced constipation, it’s sort of a wonder it can also improve diarrhea! Digestion is about “balance.” With the right amount of fiber, you should experience regularity without constipation or diarrhea. How does it work? The fibers absorb water, thereby reducing diarrhea and increasing stool softness and bulk (29, 30). Support Digestion With Keto Zone There are many ways the Keto Zone supports digestive health. They include: Keto Zone® Fiber Zone. This proprietary fiber supplement powder is formulated with both psyllium husk and inulin to support health as described above. Dr. Colbert Beyond Biotics™ is an excellent probiotic supplement with 12 billion healthy probiotic bacteria units. These units have been proven to encourage optimal digestive health in just 4 weeks! In fact, Beyond Biotics™ contains 3 clinically studied and tested probiotic strains consisting of 12 billion bacteria, supporting the immune response and natural defenses. If you want to encourage great health throughout your body, this is a great supplement. Dr. Colbert’s Healthy Gut Zone Plan. It will teach you, step-by-step, how to improve your digestive health, support your entire body, and encourage better brain function, alertness and health starting today! Join Dr. Colbert in his challenge to prioritize your gut health. It can make all the difference to health! Dr. Colbert’s Beyond Keto program combines Keto Zone and Mediterranean foods to support gut health! In fact, studies have found the Mediterranean diet specifically improves gut microbiota and its associated metabolism functions (31). Get started with Dr. Colbert’s Beyond Keto today and encourage digestive and whole-body health! Bottom Line Fiber is a great nutrient for whole body health. Keto Zone® Fiber Zone provides 2 effective types of fiber to support your body. Try our Energizing Green High Fiber Smoothie today and flood your body with nutrients that encourage all 10 fiber benefits! To read the original article click here.

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Common Plant Fiber Gel Doubled Rate of Tumor Eradication

AHA Publisher — Fri, 02 Jul 2021 07:00:02 +0000

University of Michigan via Newswise – Many people don’t realize that the trillions of bacteria, viruses, and fungi residing within the gastrointestinal tract––collectively called the gut microbiome–– are connected to overall health, and specifically to cancer. Manipulating the gut microbiome to produce “beneficial” commensal microbes, which protect the host from pathogens and can boost immune responses, among other things, could potentially help patients respond better to cancer drugs called immune checkpoint inhibitors, a type of immunotherapy. To that end, researchers at the University of Michigan have developed a new dietary fiber formulation that improves the potency of immunotherapies against cancer by modulating the gut microbiome. In the future, cancer patients treated with immune checkpoint blockers may benefit from consuming this inulin gel dietary fiber, said James Moon, the John G. Searle Associate Professor of Pharmaceutical Sciences in the College of Pharmacy. The findings appear in the June 24 issue Nature Biomedical Engineering. Inulin, a dietary fiber found in chicory root, Jerusalem artichoke and other plants, is a prebiotic that helps produce colon-residing commensal bacteria. By formulating inulin into a more colon-targeted inulin gel formulation, the team was able to provide a rich source of nutrients to allow beneficial gut microbes to expand more in the gastrointestinal tract. The inulin gel improved immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy in rodents with colon carcinoma as well as melanoma. For instance, when inulin gel was combined with an immune checkpoint inhibitor in a colon carcinoma rodent model, the rate of tumor eradication doubled (100% improvement), compared with the immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy alone. “Consumption of the inulin gel expanded and increased the number of beneficial microbes in tumor-bearing mice,” said Kai Han, postdoctoral fellow and first author of the study. “These are beneficial commensal microbes that are found in cancer patients who respond well to immune checkpoint inhibitors. “The current approaches to restoring a healthy gut microbiome include oral ingestion of defined probiotics or fecal microbiota transplantation,” Han said. “However, it would be very challenging to develop these as pharmaceutical products due to scale-up manufacturing and quality control.” The human microbiome has recently emerged as the next frontier in drug development. Intense research interest in the microbiome is driven by evidence linking the potential health benefits of modulating gut microbiota to treating various diseases, including cancer, diabetes, obesity and neurodegenerative diseases. In particular, a series of recent studies showed that the gut microbiome plays a crucial role in cancer patients’ response rate to immune checkpoint inhibitors, Moon said. “We and others have shown that the gut microbiome has a crucial role in our immune responses,” Han said. “Close to 70% of lymph nodes in our bodies are located in the gastrointestinal tract and therefore, microbes residing in the gastrointestinal tract closely interact with our immune cells. Maintaining a healthy gut microbiome nurtures our immune system so that our immune cells can effectively fight against cancer.” The group chose inulin because it wanted something that could be readily translated to the clinic. Inulin is a dietary fiber that is widely consumed by the public and is present in many plants. It’s used as a sugar substitute and in candies and butter. By making inulin into inulin gel, researchers found that inulin gel coats the gastrointestinal tract much better, leaving more nutrients to the commensal microbes. The inulin gel also works with anti-PD-1 plus anti-CTLA-4 combo-therapy, (widely used immune checkpoint inhibitors) that treat many types of cancer, Han said. Roughly 10-30% of cancer patients respond to immune checkpoint inhibitors, depending on the types of cancer, and there is risk of serious immune-related complications and side-effects, Moon said. For instance, inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract and skin are common. Previous studies have shown that inulin consumption may alleviate gastrointestinal inflammation, such as colitis and IBD. “So, inulin gel may alleviate gastrointestinal inflammation induced by immune checkpoint inhibitors and we are testing this idea now,” Moon said. To read the original article click here.

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The Prebiotic Fiber Inulin Offers 3 AMAZING Health Benefits

AHA Publisher — Thu, 19 Nov 2020 08:00:00 +0000

Lori Alton via NaturalHealth365 – Probiotics and prebiotics – substances that encourage and nourish the presence of beneficial bacteria in the body – have grown in popularity as science reveals their many health benefits. One prebiotic in particular, inulin, is currently enjoying a lot of “buzz” – due to recent research showing that it may improve digestive health and combat obesity. Inulin, a soluble dietary fiber found in plants, can’t be broken down by the body. While this may sound like a drawback, it is actually a huge “plus.” To learn why – and to discover the surprising disease-fighting benefits of inulin – keep reading. Inulin: The “indigestible” fiber that provides great health dividends Inulin is a fructan, meaning it is composed of chains of fructose molecules. These molecules are linked together to strongly that they can’t be broken down in the small intestine. Instead, they proceed to the large intestine, where they provide food for “friendly” bacteria in the community of microbes that live in the intestinal tract. By way of a “thank-you,” the bacteria convert the molecules to short-chain fatty acids, or SCFAs. Scientists say that SCFAs provide a range of health benefits, including producing vitamins, helping prevent infection and regulating hormones that control appetite. Another of the many benefits of inulin is that it improves the diversity and balance of intestinal microbes, supporting the presence of beneficial bacteria such as Bifidobacteria. By promoting regularity, inulin helps combat a killer disease Studies have shown that inulin promotes more frequent bowel movements and improved stool consistency, causing many integrative doctors to advise it to relieve symptoms of constipation. In one study, older adults who consumed 15 g of inulin a day for 28 days reported more satisfaction with their digestion, along with fewer episodes of constipation. As an added bonus: the researchers also noted that the participants had higher levels of beneficial Bifidobacteria in the intestinal tract. But inulin’s benefits extend far beyond relieving the discomfort of occasional constipation. By speeding the elimination of waste from the body and preventing toxins from lingering in the large intestine, inulin may help discourage the development of colon cancer. Animal studies have shown that inulin-fed rats have fewer precancerous cell changes, fewer precancerous growths in the colon and less inflammation. And, as you know, inflammation is believed to be at the root of many serious diseases, including type 2 diabetes, heart disease and cancer. By the way, inulin has yet another cancer-discouraging trick up its sleeve. It ferments into butyrate, a compound which slows the growth of cancer cells. Good news: The benefits of inulin include supporting a healthy body weight Fermentable carbohydrates such as inulin have been shown in studies to reduce food intake and promote weight loss in overweight volunteers. In one randomized controlled study published in Nutrition and Metabolism, researchers examined the ability of 30 grams of inulin supplementation a day to promote weight loss in patients with prediabetes. For the first eight weeks of the study, the participants received standard counseling from a dietitian and consumed calorie-restricted diets. Both the inulin and control groups lost roughly 5 percent of their body weight during the first nine weeks. The control group received cellulose, which is also a fiber – but a nonfermentable one. It was what happened next, however, that really caught the researchers’ attention. During the second nine weeks of the study, participants were told to resume their normal diets. And, the inulin group continued to eat significantly less, and to lose more weight – achieving an average loss of 7 percent of their body weight. They also experienced lower levels of fasting glucose and reduced fat in the liver. Discover how inulin fights diabetes While inulin is not to be confused with insulin (the hormone that controls blood sugar), there is evidence that inulin supports insulin’s antidiabetic effects. In addition to discouraging type 2 diabetes by promoting weight loss, inulin may help to lower elevated blood sugar. In addition, its ability to reduce liver fat allows it to help reduce insulin resistance. A type of inulin known as high-performance (HP) inulin may be particularly beneficial. In a study published in Health Promotion Perspectives, female participants with type 2 diabetes were given 10 g of HP inulin a day. Researchers found that fasting blood sugar decreased by a meaningful 8.5 percent, while Ac1 levels (a measure of blood sugar control over time) dropped by an average of 10.4 percent. And, that wasn’t all. Triglycerides (fats in the blood) plummeted by almost 25 percent, while harmful LDL levels decreased and desirable HDL levels improved. What are good sources of inulin? Inulin is found in a limited group of foods, including chicory root (the undisputed heavyweight, with 35 to 47 grams of inulin per 3.5-ounce serving), Jerusalem artichokes, raw asparagus and garlic. It is also sometimes added to certain commercial foods – such as protein bars, cereal bars, baked goods and yogurts – to improve texture or replace fats and sugars. Conveniently, inulin is available in supplementary form – with natural health experts typically recommending amounts of 5 to 10 grams a day. Of course, check first with a knowledgeable integrative doctor before supplementing. As a tip, for maximum benefit: look for high-performance (HP) inulin. The evidence is accumulating: this humble prebiotic fiber not only improves digestive health, but may help protect against a range of serious diseases, including IBS, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, type 2 diabetes, obesity and cancer. Clearly, the many benefits of inulin are finally coming to light. Sources for this article include: MedicalNewsToday, NIH.gov, NIH.gov To read the original article click here. For more articles from NaturalHealth365 click here.

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