Wonder ingredient for gut health
Dr Neerja Hajela
The COVID-19 pandemic has shaken us and what stares right into our face is the link between food and immunity to help us stay protected. However, nutrition loses its meaning if the food that we eat is not being taken up by the body. Therefore, getting the best from the food we eat is only possible if the intestine is healthy.
This is when the role of the intestine becomes very important not just to digest food but also to absorb all the immune boosting nutrients from them.
This important organ which is the site for digestion of food and absorption of nutrients is often the most neglected and therefore it is not surprising that more than half the Indian population suffers from poor intestinal health. This makes us wonder whether there could be a link between nutrition and intestinal health.
Bitter fact
- As many as 13 mn children under the age of 5 yrs suffer from Severe Acute Malnutritikon and 1-2 mn die each year.
Such children have poor intestinal health, under-developed immune system and suffer from long term health effects.
Studies using probiotics in Indian kids have shown specific probiotics can reduce incidence of diarrhoea and prevent vitamin, mineral loss.
The importance of intestinal health has also entered scientific discourse with the realisation that the intestine is the largest immune organ and the health of the intestine depends on these bacteria which are indispensable for its function. They have the magical power of determining intestinal health, and therefore ensuring that the good bacteria are in higher numbers, is critical for a well – functioning intestine.
Probiotic foods are specifically designed to increase the good bacteria in the intestine and keep it healthy. Consumption of some probiotic foods has been associated with absorption of micronutrients like calcium and iron from ingested foods. Interestingly, studies conducted on children and young women in India showed that the iron status improved significantly by intake of a milk fortified with probiotics and prebiotics.
In some cases, probiotic bacteria can produce B group vitamins which are easily destroyed by cooking and, therefore, a large proportion of the population suffers from deficiency of this important vitamin. Probiotic vitamin B producers could help in combatting the deficiency. Here are some important facts about probiotics:
Definition
According to Food Agriculture Organization and World Health Organization, “ Probiotics are defined as live microorganisms, which when administered in adequate amounts, confer a health benefit on the host”. They are scientifically tested bacteria which reach the intestine alive to increase the beneficial bacteria and decrease the harmful disease causing bacteria. They help in improving intestinal health and boosting immunity since about 70% of the body’s immune system is present in the gut”
The main sources
The main sources are scientifically tested products, that contain the probiotic bacteria, in numbers of more than 108 bacteria/ per serving/ day. The bacteria impart a scientifically validated health benefit.
How can we make daily diet rich in probiotics
We can make our diet rich in probiotics by including a scientifically proven probiotic product as a part of our daily diet.
Recommended daily intake
All age groups, above the age of one year. need to consume 108 bacteria/ per serving/ day , to get the desired probiotic health benefit.
All in all, consumption of probiotics is an effective and easy way of improving intestinal health for you to maximize the nutrient absorption from foods. Certainly, this intervention is worth a try.
—The writer is Head of Science and Regulatory Affairs,Yakult Danone India Pvt. Ltd.
