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Probiotics and Prebiotics - How they benefit the Bodybuilder
Over the last few years two new 'buzz words' have appeared in the world of nutrition - probiotics and prebiotics. What are they and why have they been shown to be good for us, and, more importantly, how can they benefit the bodybuilder?
Probiotics are live strains of 'good' bacteria, which help our digestive system work efficiently, e.g. bifidus and acidopilus. They are found in live yoghurts, powders or specially formulated probiotic drinks which contain one or more of the strains of these 'good' bacteria. With food processing, pollution and antibiotic therapy, numbers of 'good' bacteria occurring naturally in our gut are reduced, so studies have shown, by actively consuming the bacteria, the size of the colonies in the gut can be increased, which improves digestion. Moreover, the numerous studies have also shown that with optimal numbers of 'good' bacteria, the immune system is improved, increasing our ability to fight disease. Probiotics may also have a role in reducing the severity of allergies.
Prebiotics are certain nutrients and constituents of food which our gut flora feed on, thus increasing their numbers. Prebiotics include fructo-oligosaccharides (FOS) and some other soluble fibres found in pulses, fruit and some cereal products. Thus, prebiotics also help digestion and the immune system.
Both probiotics and prebiotics increase the colony size of the gut's natural flora, and more and more people are including them in their diet to promote good health. The bodybuilder can also benefit, as he/she can digest their (large quantity) of food more easily helping to provide a more efficient influx of energy and protein. Pro- and prebiotics also help the immune system keep diseases at bay, so the bodybuilder can train harder and recuperate quicker.
You can obtain probiotics by eating live yoghurts, special powders or probiotic drinks like Yakult, Actimel or LC1. More recently, bodybuilding supplement companies have recognised the benefits, and are adding probiotics and FOS to their engineered nutrition meal replacement powders.
I would certainly recommend everyone include probiotics and prebiotics in their diet for good health, which is of doubtless benefit to any keen bodybuilder.
Over the last few years two new 'buzz words' have appeared in the world of nutrition - probiotics and prebiotics. What are they and why have they been shown to be good for us, and, more importantly, how can they benefit the bodybuilder?
Probiotics are live strains of 'good' bacteria, which help our digestive system work efficiently, e.g. bifidus and acidopilus. They are found in live yoghurts, powders or specially formulated probiotic drinks which contain one or more of the strains of these 'good' bacteria. With food processing, pollution and antibiotic therapy, numbers of 'good' bacteria occurring naturally in our gut are reduced, so studies have shown, by actively consuming the bacteria, the size of the colonies in the gut can be increased, which improves digestion. Moreover, the numerous studies have also shown that with optimal numbers of 'good' bacteria, the immune system is improved, increasing our ability to fight disease. Probiotics may also have a role in reducing the severity of allergies.
Prebiotics are certain nutrients and constituents of food which our gut flora feed on, thus increasing their numbers. Prebiotics include fructo-oligosaccharides (FOS) and some other soluble fibres found in pulses, fruit and some cereal products. Thus, prebiotics also help digestion and the immune system.
Both probiotics and prebiotics increase the colony size of the gut's natural flora, and more and more people are including them in their diet to promote good health. The bodybuilder can also benefit, as he/she can digest their (large quantity) of food more easily helping to provide a more efficient influx of energy and protein. Pro- and prebiotics also help the immune system keep diseases at bay, so the bodybuilder can train harder and recuperate quicker.
You can obtain probiotics by eating live yoghurts, special powders or probiotic drinks like Yakult, Actimel or LC1. More recently, bodybuilding supplement companies have recognised the benefits, and are adding probiotics and FOS to their engineered nutrition meal replacement powders.
I would certainly recommend everyone include probiotics and prebiotics in their diet for good health, which is of doubtless benefit to any keen bodybuilder.
