digestive health - 5 june 2016

8/15/2019 Digestive Health - 5 June 2016

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SUNDAY STAR, 5 JUNE 2016

special

DIGESTIVE HEALTH AND YOU

Eat right, live right


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digestive health and youSUNDAY STAR,

5 JUNE 2016

Making vital choices

IAN JEROME LEONG

s no secret that Malaysians lovefood. Not only have we madeact of eating somewhat of a

tural pastime and widelyepted medium for social oriness activities, the wide

ection of cuisines available hasome a point of pride to theion that we enthusiasticallyroduce it to foreigners andrists.ooking beyond the mouth-tering delicacies, trendy eateriesd endless lists of online foodgs, there is unfortunately a deepderlying social problem thattinues to grow unnoticed.

As many of Malaysians’ favouriteds contain rich and processedredients, a large number of the

pulation fails to realise or ignoret their daily diet can greatly

ect gut health and, in the longm, cause additional healthblems.oor gut health as a result of

d dietary choices is a globalblem and this is the reasonWorld Gastroenterology

ganisation named diet and theas the theme for this year’srld Digestive Health Day thates place every May 29.

e unknown risks

According to Dr Tee E Siong,sident of the Nutrition Society

Malaysia and council memberDigestive Health Malaysia,appropriate dietary habits have

verse effects on gut health – thest common problems arertburn (indigestion felt as a

rning sensation in the chest),mmy pain, diarrhoea and

stipation.An unhealthy gut can lead tore serious diseases such astroesophageal reflux, irritable

wel syndrome (IBS), indigestioncolorectal cancer (developmentancer from the colon ortum),” says Dr Tee.

“Gut diseases may includeinflammatory bowel disease,bowel and liver cancers, and anunhealthy gut may lead to otherproblems that can affect mentalhealth,” says Prof Dr Lee Yeong

Yeh, professor of medicine andconsultant in gastroenterology,hepatology and internal medicineat Universiti Sains Malaysia.

Prof Lee is also a committeemember of the Malaysian Societyof Gastroenterology & Hepatology,steering committee member of theWorld Digestive Health Day 2016and a member of the YoungScientist Network of Academy ofSciences of Malaysia.

He continues to add skin

diseases, celiac disease (difficultyin digesting food due tohypersensitivity to gluten) anddiabetes mellitus into the mix ofpossible diseases linked with poorgut health.

Based on the figures released bythe Health Ministry (MOH) andNational Cancer Registry ofMalaysia, it is undeniable thatthe current dietary habits ofMalaysians are a matter ofconcern.

In Health Facts 2015, the latestreport by the MOH on the generalstate of health among Malaysians,diseases linked to poor digestivehealth are the sixth principal causeof death in Malaysia.

Furthermore, MOH in 2014recorded diseases of the digestivesystem as the seventh principalcause of hospitalisation ingovernment hospitals and the sixthprincipal cause of death in both

public and private hospitals.The National Cancer Registry

recorded colorectal cancer as thesecond most common form ofcancer affecting Malaysians, withup to 3,000 new cases reportedevery year.

You are what you eat

Dr Tee believes poor dietaryhabits are the major cause ofobesity in the country and themain reason for the highprevalence of diabetes,cardiovascular disease andcertain forms of cancer.

He adds that people aresimply eating too much and

frequently and urges people not toconstantly consume overly largeserving sizes.

Malaysians really should beaware of the main ingredients intheir favourite dishes and howconsuming large amounts canaffect general health as there arecountless health campaigns andnotices regarding the dangers ofconsuming foods excessive in fat,oil, santan (coconut milk), sugar,salt and preservatives.

In an article written by Prof Leeand published in The Star lastmonth titled “From Fat to Cancer”,people link obesity to heartdiseases, diabetes and strokes butmany are unaware that obesity

also affects the bowels.Prof Lee says there are variousfoods that may cause symptoms insusceptible individuals and thateating processed food and meatmay lead to bowel cancers.

“Fatty food can slow stomachemptying and cause a feeling offullness while foods containingFODMAPs (an abbreviation for acollection of molecules found infoods that can be poorly absorbed

by people) can cause bloating,especially in patients with IBS,”says Prof Lee.

Practising self-discipline

Dr Tee stresses that maintaininga healthy gut is not difficult, as youwill just have to be disciplined inmaintaining a healthy eatingpattern.

“Have a balanced diet thatincludes a wide variety of foodsfrom each of the main food groups – and eat moderate amounts.

“Limit the intake of foods highin fats, oil, sugar and salt andinclude more plant foods such aslegumes. This will help you obtainenough dietary fibre, which isimportant for good gut health,”says Dr Tee.

He also recommends consumingfood containing ingredients thatcan promote good bacteria in the

gut such as fermented soyproducts, cultured milk and drinks,as well as yoghurt as they are agood source of probiotics.

As stress can have a negativeeffect on gut health, both Dr Teeand Prof Lee advise people toconduct regular exercise on topof healthier dietary habits tomaintain a healthy gut.

Speaking on the myriad of dietfads that are heavily promoted inthe market, both doctors say it isdifficult to ascertain if commercialdiets have any beneficial ornegative effects in the long run,and more research has to becarried out within this area.

However, Dr Tee stresses, “You

have to remember that there is nomagic bullet or short cut to keepingfit or maintaining a healthy bodyweight.

“It requires a long-termprogramme of adopting a balanceddiet and physically active life.While this may not sound exciting,it is the only proven safe way tomaintain a healthy body weight.”

> SEE PAGE 6

Maintaining a balanceddiet is key to a healthy gut.

Source: Health MinistryMalaysia.


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Fibre-richfood benetsHEART health experts worldwide haveconfirmed that the consumption of ahigh-fibre diet is associated with lower

incidences of cardiovascular diseases whilea lack of fibre in our daily diet contributesto various digestive problems such asconstipation and bowel irregularities –which, if left untreated for too long, maylead to colon cancer.

According to the Malaysian DietaryGuidelines, the recommended daily intake oftotal fibre for Malaysians is from 20g to 30gper day.

However, it is reported that more thanhalf of the Malaysian adult populationconsume only about 13g to 15g ofdietary fibre per day, which indicates afibre-deficient diet among Malaysian adults.

Unfortunately, there is not much publicawareness on the importance of consumingthe right amount and type of dietary fibreon a daily basis to help maintain optimal

digestive and heart health.Dietary fibre content is usually listed on a

food product label as total fibre, which is acombination of soluble and insoluble fibre.

Both types have distinctive health benefitsand it is important to select the right dietaryfibre to obtain the desired health benefits.

Products that consist of natural oat bransuch as oat bran powder and crispy oatcereal consist of high amounts of a uniquesoluble fibre known as oat beta-glucans.

The health benefits of having a dailyintake of 3g oat beta-glucan have beenextensively studied. It is well known for itsbenefit of lowering blood cholesterol levelsfor the maintenance of heart health.

Many health professionals promote itsinclusion in low glycaemic index (GI) dietsfor individuals suffering from or who are at

risk of Type 2 diabetes.Oat bran powder or crispy oat cereal arenaturally rich in both soluble and insolublefibres. The effect of digestive health,according to the European Food SafetyAuthority (EFSA), refers to the improvementof bowel function through the ingestion ofinsoluble fibre, which occurs withincreasing bulk in stool and bowelregularity.

The Health Ministry states a food productbenefits gut health when it contains at least

6% of oat fibre or 3g of total fibre in oneserving.

Therefore, it is imperative for consumers

to find out from the product label how muchtotal fibre (including oat beta-glucans) canbe obtained from one serving of the foodproduct as well as the carbohydrate or sugarcontent and total calorie intake.

Biogrow Oat BG22 Oat Bran Powder andBiogrow Oat BG22 Crispy Cereal are madefrom Swedish oat bran and naturalingredients, which offer a combination ofsoluble and insoluble fibre in onerecommended daily serving.

Five reasons to choose Biogrow Oat BG22Oat Bran Powder or Crispy Cereal to benefitcholesterol and blood sugar levels as well asdigestion are:l Both are made of only natural

ingredient(s) – Swedish oat bran. They donot include artificial ingredients, non-dairycreamers, thickeners or fillers.

l Two scoops or sachets offer about 18gof oat bran powder while one packet (30g)of crispy cereal provides 3g or above of highmolecular weight oat beta-glucan (solublefibre) to produce high viscosity effect inthe gut.l They have high content of total fibre

and low GI. Both choices offer a balancedcombination of soluble fibre (to maintainhealthy blood cholesterol and sugar levels)and insoluble fibre (to maintain gut health)and being low in GI means it is diabetic-friendly.l Both products have good solubility and

viscosity effect. The powder dissolves well incold or lukewarm water. Both powder andcrispy cereals are scientifically shown toproduce good viscosity (gelling) effect in thegut, which is an important criterion in

producing optimal cholesterol-loweringeffect.l Proven to lower cholesterol levels and

blood glucose regulating effect as shown innumerous clinical studies on humansubjects.

This article is contributed by Legosan (M)Sdn Bhd.

n For more information, call 03-7956 2220or e-mail [email protected].

Oat BG22 Crispy Cereal and OatBran Powder are formulated tohelp lower blood cholesterol levels.


digestive health and you 3


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5 JUNE 2016

Nutriforte Lactoghurt.

For a healthy gut

EBIOTICS are a source of foodprobiotics to grow, multiply andvive in the gut. Prebiotics areres which cannot be absorbed oroken down by the body andrefore serve as a great food

urce for probiotics.Prebiotics by nature do notmulate the growth of badcteria or other pathogens; theicial definition of prebiotics is:on-digestible food ingredientst beneficially affect the host byectively stimulating the growthd/or activity of one or a limitedmber of bacteria in the colon,ich can improve host health”.

Prebiotics occur naturally in ourt and can be found in garlic,ons, asparagus and bananas.wever, one may have to eatge quantities of these foods tove a ‘bifidogenic’ effect – that isncrease the levels of friendly

cteria in our intestines.For this reason many people findasier to take a prebiotic

pplement, or a combinationobiotic and prebiotic supplementlled a symbiotic) to ensure theyfeeding their levels of friendly

cteria.Common prebiotics includectooligosaccharide (FOS),actooligosaccharide (GOS),lin and lactulose.

hat are probiotics?

According to the World Healthganization, probiotics are “live

micro-organisms which whenadministered in adequate amountsconfer a health benefit on thehost”.

Probiotics support digestivehealth by producing specificenzymes needed in the digestion offood and aiding the breakdown offoods substances.

Probiotics also improve theabsorption of vitamins andminerals into the bloodstream.

Probiotics support immunity bystimulating the body’s naturaldefences, and by lining theintestines with a protective layer offriendly bacteria that barspathogenic substances in the gut

from harming the body.As two-thirds of the body’s

immune system is managed in thegut, it may be important to keepone’s probiotic levels high.

How to choose a goodprobiotics supplement?

Many people believe that thebest probiotic supplement is theone with the most bacteria in it,which is measured in colony-forming units (CFUs).

However, research to date hasshown that it is not the totalnumber of bacteria in a product

that is important; it’s the numberof different strains of bacteria itincludes.

Because the differentstrains of probioticbacteria haveslightly differentfunctions and areconcentrated invarious places alongthe digestive tract,probioticsupplements thatcontain multiplestrains tend to bemore effectiveoverall thanproducts containing

an extremely highconcentration of just one ortwo strains.

How is NutriforteLactoghurt benefcial?

No two probiotics formulasproduce the same results. Thebenefits observed clinically amongprobiotics vary according to themanner in which those bacteriaare prepared and protected, andaccording to the strains used.

Nutriforte Lactoghurt containsFOS which provides synergy effectto promote healthy gut. It uses a

dual-coated technology calledDuolac to ensure the bacteriareach the intestines alive and ingood condition to exert its action.

This dual-coated technology ispatented in the European Union, Japan and South Korea.

Besides, Nutriforte Lactoghurtcontains five different strains andis tested initially and at the end ofshelf-life to ensure that all strainssurvive together until the time ofexpiry.

This product is developed byCell Biotech, a Danish-Koreanbio-venture enterprise, which

specialises in fermentation andmicrobial coating technology andis fully imported from SouthKorea.

Lactoghurt is available at allleading independent pharmaciesand chain stores like Caring,Healthlane, Vitacare, AA, BIG,Multicare and Cosway Farmasi.

n For more information,contact Pharmaforte (M) Sdn Bhdat 03-7803 6998.This is a supplement productadvertisement.KKLIU No.0903/2016


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Strengthen your intestineTRAVELLER’S diarrhoea (TD) is acommon health complaint amongtravellers.

TD is acquired through ingestionof faecally contaminated food,water or other liquids. Diarrhoea iswhen there are four to sixinstances of loose, watery orbloody bowel movements per day.TD usually lasts for two to six days,if untreated. Other commonsymptoms are abdominal crampsand nausea. Vomiting and feverare less common.

The best strategy to prevent TDis education and avoidingcontaminated foods and liquids.

One of the reasons tourists aresusceptible to illnesses is that travel

can disrupt the body’s normaldefence mechanisms againstinfections.

Stress, jet lag, unfamiliar foodsand water and disrupted bodyrhythms can disturb the normally

protective bacteria in theintestines.

These protective bacteria usuallyfight off disease-causing bacteriaand viruses through “colonisationresistance”, a barrier effect thatprevents attachment andcolonisation by harmfulmicroorganisms.

Probiotics are a promisingtherapeutic strategy for diseasesthat involve a disruption of normalmicroflora as they inhibit pathogenattachment, enhancing theimmune response and assisting inre-establishing normal microflora.

Combined for better

protectionLallemand Health Solutions, a

Canadian company with 80 yearsof expertise in probiotic researchand development, is introducing aProbiotic 2.0 formula, which is a

combination of yeast andprobiotics aimed at managingintestinal disorders.

The Probiotic 2.0 formulacombines the well-knownSaccharomyces boulardii yeast,extensively documented for itsefficacy in diarrhoea prevention,with three specific probioticbacteria strains – Lactobacillusrhamnosus Rosell-11 (R0011), Lactobacillus helveticus Rosell-52(R0052), and Bifidobacteriumlongum Rosell-175 (R0175).

Either alone or in combination,these three probiotic bacteria areeffective in protecting the gut andrestoring a balanced microflora.

While exhibiting different modes

of action in the gut, probiotic yeastand bacteria are complementaryand allow for dual protection ofthe gut surface against pathogens.

A study published in Digestive Diseases and Sciences in 2009

demonstrated the dual-defencecapabilities of the probioticcombination in an animal modelof TD (enterotoxigenic E. coli infection in rats).

After two weeks of probioticadministration, the probioticcombination appeared to offerbetter protection against E. coli infection than the probiotic yeastor bacteria mixture separately,leading to reduced weight loss,stabilised body temperature, andreduced diarrhoea severity andduration.

This probiotic combination hasbeen successfully marketed inmany countries under differenttrade names, and several post-

marketing clinical trials have beenpublished.

A first trial, conducted byGrandy et al in Bolivia on childrenhospitalised for acute rotavirusdiarrhoea, showed that the

combination formula reduced theduration of diarrhoea andtherefore the time of rotavirusexcretion, which in turn loweredthe risk of transmission to otherchildren. The study was publishedin the journal BMC Infectious Diseases (2010).

This probiotic combination isnow being marketed by VitamodeSdn Bhd and is available inselected pharmacies nationwide.

It is recommended forreinforcing or restoring theintestinal barrier and for fightingintestinal infections, particularlyTD.

This article is brought to

you by Vitamode Sdn Bhd andBig Pharmacy.

n For more information,call 1300 800 228 or [email protected].

Power-packedmulti-enzymesA COMPLETE and balancednutrition intake may maintainhealthy body functions but it isalso influenced by the wholedigestive process – meaningfood ingestion and digestion aswell as nutrient absorption andutilisation.

Even the most complete diet

will not benefit the body if notproperly broken down intonutrients that are readilyabsorbed and used.

Poorly digested food maylead to occasional abdominaldiscomfort, bloating and otherundesirable symptoms.

Enzymes are specificallyproduced by the body to assistin the breakdown of food and“unlocking” of nutrients,allowing them to be effectivelyabsorbed and used by the body.

However, ageing, unhealthylifestyles and poor eating habitscan interfere with the body’sability to produce adequatesupply of enzymes for the above

process.In addition, certain cookingmethods and processingtechnology can also destroy thenatural enzymes in raw foods.

For these reasons, obtainingan alternative source ofenzymes supply is importantand required to maintainoptimum health.

Biogrow Mixed Berries withMulti Enzymes contains a broad

spectrum of 10 natural plantand microbial derived enzymesimported from the United Statesthat can work in a broad pHrange from pH3 to pH9throughout the body.

This enzymes combinationincludes amylase, protease,lipase, cellulase, lactase, maltase,

invertase, bromelain and twoproprietary enzymes –peptizyme SP and HemiSeb –that possess broad specificity forvarious types of food such ascereal grains, legumes, dairyproducts, meat and other foods.

Biogrow Mixed Berries withMulti Enzymes is speciallyformulated with a deliciousblend of mixed berries forenhanced flavour and thesweetener xylitol.

It is available in chewabletablet form, making it suitablefor kids, adults as well as theelderly. Just chew one to twochewable tablets after everymeal to supply the body with an

abundance of natural enzymesthat complement your daily diet.Biogrow Mixed Berries with

Multi Enzymes is available at allleading pharmacies nationwide.

This article is contributed byLegosan (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd.

n For more information,call 03-7956 2220 or e-mail [email protected].

BiogrowMixedBerries

with MultiEnzymes.




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5 JUNE 2016

Probiotic for irritable bowelITABLE bowel syndrome (IBS) isined as a group of bowelorders in which abdominal paindiscomfort is associated withaecation or a change in bowel

bit.The symptoms of IBS are verymmon, including abdominal pain/mp, diarrhoea, constipation,ating, flatulence, an urge toaecate and incomplete bowelptying.

You may be suffering from IBS ifu have recurrent symptoms for atst three days a month in the pastee months.

According to a survey publishedhe Journal of Gastroenterology

d Hepatology in 2003, one out of

Malaysians suffer from IBS, withmale predominance.

To date, the exact cause of IBS isknown. Several factors such asd intolerance, gastrointestinalections, stress and medicationsght put one at greater risk ofveloping IBS.Although there is still no cure for, it can be managed throughstyle modification, dietary

changes, medication andpsychological treatments.

Regular exercise and stressmanagement may also help easeIBS symptoms. Try to eat small andfrequent meals and avoid foods thatcontain fructose, lactose, sorbitoland fructan.

Typical IBS treatments onlytemporarily relieve symptoms butdo not tackle the root cause ofIBS.

For example, laxatives are

used to treat constipation andantidiarrhoeal medicines are used

to treat diarrhoea.IBS symptoms can be alleviated

by taking a probiotic that hasbeen recognised by the WorldGastroenterology Organisationas an adjuvant in managing IBS-related symptoms – Lactobacillus plantarum 299v (Lp299v).

Lp299v is a probiotic that wasfirst used by a group of surgeons,microbiologists and nutritionists in

the early 1990s in Sweden.Lp299v is a strain of lactic acid

bacteria that is now patentedthroughout the world for itspositive effect on gastrointestinalhealth, especially on IBS.

Lp299 has characteristicsthat are not found in otherstrains of probiotics.

According to European Journalof Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Lp299v is able todisplace intestine wall-boundharmful bacteria and continueto facilitate the function of theintestines by adhering to theintestinal wall for up to 11 dayswith its specific adhesionmechanism.

The Lp299v has demonstratedits efficacy in alleviating all IBSsymptoms through 20 years ofintense clinical trials: 95% ofpatients experienced overallIBS symptoms improvementwithin four weeks with 20 billionCFU (colony-forming unit) ofLp299v.

Lp299v is one of the fewprobiotic strains that have

binding for a mannose-specificreceptor.

This intestinal bindingprevents attachment ofpathogenic bacteria to theintestinal wall, thus allowingLp299v to communicate with thehost, which then strengthens theintestine and gut immunity.

Also, it is able to stimulate thegrowth of good bacteria, produceshort-chain fatty acids to nourishthe gut, and modulate immuneresponse.

All this explains the Lp299vprobiotic strain’s contributionto balanced gut microflora andhealthy gut functions, especiallyin relieving IBS.

Consult your pharmacistbefore taking probiotics.

This article is brought to youby BiO-LiFE Marketing Sdn Bhd.

n For more information, callBiO-LiFE Customer Care(Monday to Friday from 8am to5pm) at 03-7882 8888 or [email protected].

Irritable bowel syndrome can be relieved with probiotics.

Win the battle> FROM PAGE 2

Both Dr Tee and Prof Leeagree that the awareness levelon the seriousness of gutdiseases is still low.

“Many Malaysians tend toignore their bowel complaintsand seek medical advicerelatively late. They are alsoquite reluctant to change theirdiet,” says Prof Lee.

“The public must not delayseeking medical advice if they

encounter signs such asprolonged abdominal pain,gastrointestinal bleeding thatform black or tarry stools,changes in bowel habits,unintended weight loss and thepersistent feeling of nausea orvomiting,” says Dr Tee.

Given the number of colorectalcancer cases, hospitalisation, andother diseases linked to poordigestive health in Malaysia,

more needs to be done on thepart of the Government andhealth authorities.

The authorities must take theinitiative to reach out to thepublic and find new ways inwhich they can highlight theimportance of such a vital issueto all levels of society.

Dr Tee says that diseasesrelated to the gut can beprevented by having knowledgeof the various diseases andcauses. Recognition of symptoms

is also important so that peoplecan seek timely professionaladvice.

Malaysians need to takeresponsibility for their healthand learn the consequencesof their dietary habits. Whileit is alright to indulge fromtime to time, what you chooseto consume every day willdetermine your overallwell-being in the long run.

Most Malaysians are unaware of how their diet affects their health.Do not hesitate to seek medical advice if you encounter signs ofdigestive problems.


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Road to good health

MOST Malaysians know and haveheard about the importance ofgood gut health but many do notknow how to achieve it.

It is imperative to understandhow our gut affects our overallwell-being, not just physically butmentally as well.

Importance of awell-functioning gut

Our body is home toapproximately 100 trillion bacteria – more than 10 times the numberof cells we have in our entire body.

The ideal bacteria compositionin the gut is 85% good bacteria and15% bad bacteria. Maintaining thisoptimal ratio in your gut flora isessential for good health.

The gut flora promotes normalgastrointestinal function, provides

protection from infection, regulatesmetabolism and comprises morethan 75% of our immune system.

The type and quantity ofmicroorganisms in your gut floracan either prevent or encouragethe development of many diseases.

There are symptoms thatindicate poor gut health, includingheartburn, abdominal bloating,wind, pain, diarrhoea, poornutrient absorption and a generalunwell feeling.

Other signs to look out forinclude frequent colds, change inappetite, worsening allergies andfood sensitivities.

Rebuild your immunesystem

To adequately address healthconditions, you must rebuild yourgut and immune system. A fewways to strengthen the immunesystem is to clean up your diet, getenough rest and consume drinksrich in probiotics.

Eating a healthy diet allowsbeneficial gut bacteria to flourish.Avoid overeating as this taxes thedigestive system and usuallyresults in poor digestion of food.

If something you eat seems tothrow off your digestion, you

should abstain from that food. Givethe body a longer rest beforehaving another meal, rather thanadding to an already upset system.

When you consciously monitorwhat you eat, you are helping yourbody achieve better digestion,increase the growth of goodbacteria and have betterabsorption of nutrients.

As a lack of quality sleep is acontributing factor to poor guthealth, it is important to get a goodnight’s rest.

Allowing your body to shutdown and sleep for a minimum ofseven hours allows your system to

SUNDAY STAR,

5 JUNE 2016


reset and recharge.

Besides that, stress is a keycontributor to an unhealthy gut.The best way to maintain both gutand mental health is to engage inrelaxing activities such as walking,outdoor sports, meditation and lotsof sleep.

Sip smart for betterhealth

The first step in maintaining ahealthy gut is to avoid things thatdestroy gut flora.

Actively consuming culturedmilk drinks such as Vitagen can aiddigestion and help maintain the

balance of your system forstronger immunity due to thetwo powerful strains of live,active cultures Lactobacillusacidophilus and

Lactobacillus casei.This powerful

combination helps aidthe absorption ofnutrients from foodand stimulates astronger immunesystem.

It also assists insuppressing thegrowth of harmfulbacteria and reducing

the risk of intestinaldisturbances foroptimal digestivehealth.

Starting your daywith a bottle ofVitagen for betterdigestive health goes along way to achievinga better functioninggut for a healthier,happier you.

n For moreinformation, visitwww.vitagen.com.my.

The ideal bacteriacomposition inthe gut is 85%good bacteria and15% bad bacteria.Maintaining thisoptimal ratio in yourgut fora is essentialfor good health.


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5 JUNE 2016

Friendly bacteriaand the amazing gutW much do you know about

ur intestines? You will beprised to learn that, at any onee, you have about one hundredlion bacteria inside yourestive tract, particularly in yourestines. These trillions ofteria are made up of about 500

ferent species, which beganling into your body from they first day you were born.

About 85% of these bacteria

form beneficial functions, suchdigesting food, protectinginst infection and influencing a

w physiological processes in thedy. The remainder of theteria may either not provide

y benefits or could be potentiallymful, which sometimes

erred to as “bad” bacteria.At the same time, most of thedy’s immune system also lives inur digestive tract, home to about80% of immune cells. So anynges that occur in the gut haverong impact, not only on yourestive health, but also on yourrall health.

Biogrow Probiotics.

Good vs Bad. Yourdigestive and immunesystems are countingon you

The balance of good and badbacteria in the gut has to bemaintained in a fragile balance.This ratio between the “good”bacteria and the other bacteriabecomes one of the critical factors

determining your optimal health.The ideal balance between them is85% good, 15% “other”. Ourenvironment greatly influencesthis balance, and a poor diet, stress,medications and an unhealthylifestyle can disrupt it, causing badbacteria to flourish.

When that happens, a person islikely to experience digestivehealth problems, such as bloating,intestinal pains, constipation ordiarrhoea.

On the other hand, a healthy,balanced environment in the gutcan protect the immune systemfrom pathogenic bacteria, toxins,

allergens, chemicals and pollutants.For instance, research suggests thata particular strain of bacteria mayhelp to maintain healthy intestinalmicroflora.

One way to boost our goodbacteria count is by takingprobiotics with our food or assupplements. Probiotics are livebacteria that help to re-establish ahealthy bacterial balance in theintestines.

As more probiotic productsappear on the market today, it isimportant to ensure that you arechoosing a product that providesthe best benefits.

Choose wisely. Are yourprobiotics gettingthrough?

The first criterion of a goodprobiotic product is the strain ofbacteria used. It should beclinically documented in publishedclinical studies, safe to beconsumed, able to withstand the

stomach acids and bile duringthe digestive process, and able toattach to the intestinal lining.

L. Acidophilus andBifidobacterium are two groups

of bacteria commonly used inprobiotic products, of which afew strains have beenscientifically tested to bebeneficial. The bacteria must bealive, or viable, gastric acid- andbile salt-resistant and have abetter survival rate in order toperform their beneficialfunctions after they havebeen consumed.

Probiotics that contain highlystable microencapsulated strainswith the right stabilisationprocesses during packaging andtransportation will protect thebacteria against light, heat,

humidity and moisturebreakdown.

Biogrow Probiotics provideshighly stable microencapsulatedstrains made from patented

microencapsulation technologyfrom Institute Rosell-Lallemand,Canada that ensures theprobiotics are resistant to heatshock up to 50oC, gastric acid andbile salts and have bettersurvival rate. Remember, onlylive bacteria confer benefits to itshost, not dead ones!

n This article is contributed byLegosan (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd. Formore information, call 03-76288888/03-7956 2220 (direct line)or visit www.biogrow.com.my.

KKLIU No.2615/2014

digestive health - 5 june 2016

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