A prebiotic powder used as a health supplement could lower the risk of developing the symptoms that can lead to diabetes and heart disease. Metabolic syndrome is often the precursor for diabetes and conditions such as a stroke or heart disease.
A new study has now revealed the prebiotic Bimuno works to reduce those symptoms. Prebiotics are special carbohydrates that are added to food and drink. As they are non-digestible, they go straight to the colon where they work naturally in the gut to feed the good bacteria known as probiotics.
Bimuno has been recognised as the only “second generation” prebiotic with a set of unique properties not seen in other prebiotics. Prebiotics are a naturally occurring carbohydrate found in vegetables such as onions, leeks and artichokes, in garlic and in wholegrain, oats, bananas and legumes.
Researchers from the Department of Food and Nutritional Sciences at the University of Reading examined 45 adults considered clinically obese. Each was prescribed either Bimuno or a placebo, taken for 12 weeks with a four-week break during that period. Each was tested for insulin, glucose and cholesterol levels regularly during the research period, while their blood, blood pressure and body measurements were also recorded.
The research revealed that the patients who had been taking Bimuno showed significantly increased levels of “good” bacteria and lower levels of “bad” bacteria in the gut. The study concluded that using Bimuno as a dietary supplement could improve a patient’s immunity and promote gastrointestinal health, while reducing some of the other risk factors linked to metabolic syndrome.
Diabetes and heart disease are two of the most common health conditions affecting those who are overweight or obese. The cost to the NHS in the UK of treating conditions linked to obesity is estimated to be more than £5.1billion.
Warning signs of the risk of developing such conditions are high levels of fat in the blood, high cholesterol and blood sugar levels, and raised blood pressure. It is thought one in four of us will be affected by metabolic syndrome.
Bimuno is available as a supplement in health food stores and pharmacies.
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