Patients with a sensitive gastrointestinal tract are frequently encountered in the practice. Here you can find out how you can best support them and prevent diseases.
Inulin wirkt unterstützend für das Darmmikrobiom und vorbeugend auf Verstopfungen.
Dietary fibers are carbohydrates that can affect the gastrointestinal tract in various ways when administered orally. They are among the fiber-rich components of many plant species and cannot be digested enzymatically in humans. In carnivorous animals this is possible to a small extent. As a result, they reach the large intestine almost unchanged, where they are broken down with the help of bacteria.
Dietary fibers are divided into two subgroups: soluble and insoluble. They differ in their physical properties when combined with water.
The water-insoluble dietary fibers – such as, for example, cellulose and lignin – develop their water-binding effect in the large intestine, where they bind liquid and swell up. As a result, insoluble fibers stimulate intestinal peristalsis and increase the volume of feces. They also serve as a source of energy for the desired intestinal bacteria and promote their multiplication.
Water-soluble dietary fibers include inulin and pectin. These molecules serve as food for the bacteria in the intestinal flora. The fiber is broken down by intestinal bacteria, resulting in short-chain fatty acids that can be absorbed by the body. The short-chain fatty acids have anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial effects. They enter the small intestine via the stomach by attaching to the secreted bile acids and expelling them from the body. The bile acids contain cholesterol, which is synthesized in the liver upon which it forms the basis for a number of hormones. A high cholesterol level in the blood can trigger cardiovascular diseases.
Eine Quelle für Inulin: Artischocken
The soluble fiber inulin is mainly found in Jerusalem artichoke tubers, chicory and artichokes and is a polysaccharide made from fructose molecules. Inulin is a prebiotic, i.e. a molecule that intestinal bacteria feed on. It can have a positive effect on digestion, as the swelling capacity of liquid increases the volume of the intestinal contents and stimulates intestinal peristalsis. The mash swells and increases the feeling of satiety. In cases of diarrhea, the consistency of the stool can be regulated by the water-binding capacity. In combination with the bacterial growth due to inulin, the intestinal flora and the coupled immune system are strengthened against pathogenic bacteria and toxins. Inulin can prevent high blood sugar levels, as other carbohydrates are released into the blood more slowly due to the inulin. This makes inulin effective for diabetes patients.
Dietary fiber reaches the large intestine undigested via the small intestine, as the degrading enzyme inulase is not found in the digestive tract of carnivorous animals and humans. The bacteria in the large intestine use inulin and other dietary fibers as an energy source. The breakdown produces short-chain fatty acids and the pH value in the large intestine drops. This allows the desired bacteria to multiply and displaces the undesirable bacteria in the intestinal flora.
Das Baktierienwachstum durch Inulin stärkt die Darmflora sowie das gekoppelte Immunsystem
Inulin can be used as a prophylactic feed supplement and as an adjunct to therapy. It is used when administering antibiotic therapy, for infections of the gastrointestinal tract and for deworming, among other thigns. Inulin has a supportive effect on the intestinal microbiome and prevents constipation. It is important to pay attention to the recommended feeding quantity. An overdose of fiber can promote osmotic diarrhea.
