С каждым годом растет количество заболеваний, associated with the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract. Many factors affect his health and efficiency, from poor nutrition to stress and a low-active lifestyle. If in our youth we practically do not notice any problems with the gastrointestinal tract, then in old age they can turn into something serious - up to a lethal outcome (the percentage of mortality for this reason is constantly increasing). That is why you need to take care of the health of intestinal microflora from an early age and take timely measures to eliminate the slightest failure. In this case, it will not be the medications that will treat one, but the other will be maimed. Will serve as a good helper inulin. What is it, where does it come from and how is it used? These questions will provide you with comprehensive answers in this article.
Для начала познакомимся с данным элементом take a closer look. Inulin - what is this substance? This is a natural polysaccharide (polyfructosan), obtained from plants, of which there are more than three and a half thousand. The inulin molecule is a chain of approximately 30-35 fructose residues, the molecular weight ranges from 5,000 to 6,000. The taste is sweetish.
Инулин является запасным углеводом, который можно meet in many vegetable ingredients. Inulin in animal products is not. Do not get it by synthetic means. Thus, it is a natural prebiotic that is not digested by human digestive enzymes and easily gets into the intestinal microflora. It is there that he performs his main task - improves peristalsis, as well as digestion, fueling the growth and reproduction of beneficial bifidobacteria.
Inulin is mainly used in industry.chicory and Jerusalem artichoke. It is in these plants of this polysaccharide contains the most. Its amount reaches 20%, which is a lot. Among champions of inulin content, there are more familiar plants - garlic and onions. The share of this valuable component reaches 10%. In addition, they have many other useful properties, and therefore you should definitely include them in your diet.
You can get inulin from other naturalproducts: it is found in cereals, artichokes, raisins, and even bananas. All these products are quite tasty and nutritious, and therefore it will not be difficult to use them regularly. And the body will say "thank you." Among medicinal plants, bells, violets and lilies can boast of pure inulin content. There is it in the tubers of dandelions, daffodils, hyacinths and dahlias.
How to get inulin?What is this way to extract it from plants without destroying the molecular structure and retaining its healing properties? Inulin is obtained by the cold method, without the use of heat, which allows it to preserve its biological activity.
As a result of physicochemical processes it is possibleobtaining inulin in the form of amorphous powder, and in the form of crystals. They are rather easily soluble in hot water and poorly in cold. When hydrolyzed, inulin forms D-fructose, as well as some amount of glucose. Along with inulin, carbohydrates related to it are obtained from the same plants, which also give D-fructose (levulin, pseudoinulin, sinistrin, etc.). Thus, this polysaccharide is a material for the production of fructose and serves as a natural substitute for starch and sugar in diabetes mellitus.
One of the most important properties of inulin is thatthat it is not exposed to digestive enzymes in our stomach. This is due to properties and a formula that is close to soluble fiber. Due to this, inulin freely passes through the stomach and enters straight into the intestine. Here he becomes a breeding ground for bifidobacteria. They split it (partially) and use it as a material for growth and reproduction. As a result, the number of beneficial bacteria in the intestinal microflora increases, while that of pathogenic ones decreases (they are simply displaced). Intestinal motility improves, digestion is accelerated. And all you need is to enrich your diet by adding inulin to it. The benefits of plants containing it, usually does not end there (and therefore, the body receives a double or even triple benefit).
The undigested part of inulin is derived fromof an organism, “capturing on the way” decomposition products and other substances that the body does not need (heavy metals and radionuclides, toxins, etc.). Inulin releases the human body from accumulations of bad cholesterol. For these purposes (cleansing and antioxidant effect) it is recommended to use dietary fiber with inulin, which will be an excellent addition to every meal.
Besides the fact that this carbohydrate plays the most importantrole in improving the processes of digestion and intestinal peristalsis, it has other very pleasant properties. So, inulin helps the human body absorb various useful elements. Among them are calcium and magnesium, which themselves are not produced by the body, but are only ingested. Inulin contributes to the fact that they are absorbed much better - up to 30%. It has a beneficial effect on the absorption of iron, copper and phosphorus.
This polysaccharide has a hepatoprotective,as well as an immunomodulatory effect on our body. It is no secret that the level of immunity depends largely on the health of the intestines and stomach. If everything is in order with the microflora, metabolic processes take place easily and quickly, then the endurance of the whole organism rises. Inulin plays a crucial role here - it increases the number of beneficial bacteria (as a natural prebiotic), improves lipid metabolism (eliminates bad cholesterol), helps to absorb minerals and vitamins. It is not surprising that inulin is a benefit for the whole organism, and not only for the digestive tract. And this benefit is difficult to overestimate.
And in the case of losing weight or keeping slimThe figures did not go without this wonderful carbohydrate. Although they say that those who want to lose weight need to reduce the amount of carbohydrates to a minimum and lean on proteins, this does not apply to inulin. Firstly, it has a low calorie content and is practically not absorbed in the stomach. Secondly, it creates a feeling of satiety for a long time, even if you have eaten quite a bit. For example, inulin of chicory, which is often recommended to replace coffee, will be a good helper. It has a natural sweetish taste and does not require additional sweeteners. In addition, it contributes to the normalization of digestion and acceleration of metabolic processes (which means that weight loss will proceed faster).
Следующая способность этого пребиотика понравится and people who are watching their figure, and just those who try to use less fat. The fact is that inulin gives the products, the production of which is used, a thicker texture and rich creamy taste. So, light dietary yogurt, in which there is practically no fat, will taste no worse than thick creamy yogurt with a high percentage of fat. Why extra calories, if there is no difference in pleasure? Here it is, inulin. What is this, if not a miracle, presented by nature itself!
In some situations, when required byhealth status, it is recommended to use inulin in much larger doses than daily intake with food. For example, patients with diabetes mellitus (first and second type), patients with ischemia, atherosclerosis, immunodeficiency, doctors prescribe inulin. The instructions for this medicinal product also mention other diseases, including cholelithiasis, kidney diseases, constipation, etc. In addition, it is not prohibited to use it in order to maintain energy balance while adhering to a strict diet.
In all these cases, inulin supplementationfrom the pharmacy will not cause any harm, but only serve good purposes. It will help restore the metabolism of lipids and fats in the body, increase the number of bacteria "Bifidus", remove harmful substances, including toxins and slags, reduce cholesterol levels.
Помогут в улучшении здоровья и входящие в его amino acid composition: prevent fatty liver (arginine, methionine), help insulin (leucine, isoleucine), reduce appetite (tryptophan).
В фармакологии наиболее распространенное the plant from which inulin is obtained is the Jerusalem artichoke, but also herbal remedies of other origin are found (from chicory, echinacea, coltsfoot, etc.). In addition, manufacturers often add to the preparations of additional components - bran and dietary fiber, extracts and juice of wild rose, ginseng, licorice, eleutherococcus. This increases the biological value of drugs.
If inulin was prescribed by the attending physician, then heBe sure to designate the dose and schedule of admission, which must be followed. Specific recommendations depend on the type of disease or the severity of a problem. On average, as a food supplement, experts advise taking 1-2 tablets three times a day, naturally, with meals. However, doses can reach up to 10 tablets in some cases.
In addition, there are some "tricks" that allow you to extract the maximum benefit when taking inulin. Here are some of them:
Inulin very well with the juices of various berries and vegetables, which only enhance its healing effects on the body.
Often useful components, even if absolutelynatural and vegetable-based, can have very serious side effects on the body. Is the exception inulin? Contraindications for its use are virtually absent. This is one of those wonders of nature that are absolutely safe for humans.
However, there are some cautions.They concern the individual intolerance of some components (analyzes will help determine this). In this case, as a result of taking inulin, allergies can begin. But no more serious consequences of the use of this additive have been identified. In addition, experts still do not recommend to appoint it to children under the age of 12 years. For the rest, there are no barriers to reception.
Here he is, a small polysaccharide with a modest andthe inconspicuous name "inulin". Reviews about it, however, is not modest. Still would! This is truly an invaluable substance for our entire body, starting with the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract and ending with strengthening the immune system and maintaining a normal weight. Regular consumption of products containing a sufficient amount of inulin (cereals, artichokes and asparagus, bananas and raisins, replacing coffee with chicory, and potatoes - Jerusalem artichoke) contributes to the overall improvement of the body and the resolution of certain problems in the work of certain organs.
He will help young people to always be in good shape,maintain a high level of energy and have strong immunity. For the elderly will be an excellent means of prevention and treatment of osteochondrosis, will reduce the likelihood of a heart attack. And if in the first case it is enough to receive this carbohydrate from food, then in a more mature age it is worth thinking about additional intake of drugs containing inulin. Their price is low and quite affordable even for pensioners. Fortunately, there is a huge selection of natural remedies, and even enriched with additional valuable components - dietary fiber, juices and extracts of licorice, eleutherococcus, ginseng, parsley, etc. Maintain the content of inulin in the body at the proper level and be healthy.
