Пребиотиками называют неперевариваемые food ingredients that have the ability to stimulate the growth of beneficial bacteria in the intestines. With the systematic use of prebiotics-containing products or drugs, the balance of intestinal microflora is normalized, as a result of which digestion is improved and chronic gastrointestinal diseases are cured, and immunity is increased.
The prebiotics include di- and trisaccharides, as well asoligosaccharides, polysaccharides, amino acids, polyatomic alcohols, etc. However, their useful properties are most fully expressed in poly-, galacto- and oligosaccharides, as well as in dietary fibers. They are found in many products of plant origin: cabbage, legumes, peas and soybeans, onions and garlic, corn, cereals and bran, bread, honey, various fruits, as well as in dairy products. Prebiotics are not destroyed by heat treatment, and in the food industry are often used as food additives - in particular, in confectionery products.
There is also a synthetic prebiotic - lactulose,made from whey. Its useful properties were discovered by one of the German pediatricians in the mid-twentieth century: he managed with its help to correct the composition of the intestinal microflora in children. Prebiotics (preparations) containing lactulose are produced under various product names: Duphalac, Normase, Portalac, Lactusan, Lactofiltrum, etc. (the latter also includes natural enterosorbent). In addition to the ability to normalize the intestinal microflora, lactulose has a pronounced laxative effect. In order to eliminate constipation, it is taken in a higher dose: from 15-20 to 50 ml and more per day (5-10 ml as a prebiotic). Prebiotics (drugs) based on it are prescribed for both adults and children, including those under one year old. Lactulose increases the digestibility of vitamins and minerals from food, helps to reduce cholesterol levels in the blood. There are also prebiotics (preparations) based on other oligo-or polysaccharides - for example, the Inulin Forte dietary supplement. However, due to its effectiveness and availability, lactulose firmly holds the first place among them.
Prebiotics are importantin children, including infants, it is important for their immunity. Prebiotics for babies in the first months of life are added to infant formula. Doctors still do not have a unanimous opinion about whether it is necessary to additionally give prebiotics to a healthy child. However, babies who have a history of acute respiratory infections or gastrointestinal diseases, whose treatment included taking antibacterial drugs, can be given both prebiotics (drugs) and probiotics for the prevention of dysbiosis. The duration of the course in this case is usually one to two weeks, and for severe violations of the activity of the gastrointestinal tract - up to four weeks.
Prebiotics for newborn "artificiality"are of particular importance because of the increased risk of intestinal infections for them, compared with breastfed children. They can be recommended special mix "Nutrilon Omneo", "Hipp Pre Bio", "Humana 1 (2) with prebiotics" and others. For babies suffering from constipation, especially mixtures with lactulose - for example, "Semper Bifidus".
Prebiotics should not be confused with probiotics:this is the name given to the beneficial bacteria that live in the intestines, as well as the preparations containing them (for example, "Lactobacterin"). At present, most experts agree that it makes sense to use both of them in a complex, since the first of them serve as food for the second - lacto-and bifidobacteria. Isolated intake of probiotics, even the most effective, does not always lead to the expected effect and normalizes the intestinal microflora, whereas prebiotics tend to stimulate its growth and vital activity.
