AIDP backs scientific research on prebiotics

A NEW study on PreticX strengthens the role of prebiotics in overall wellness, according to Jennifer Gu, Ph.D., vice president for Research and Development at AIDP, a provider of functional ingredients.

“The ground-breaking scientific research done at the University of California-Los Angeles (UCLA) on PreticX, a new non-gluten, non-GMO prebiotic xylooligosacchride (XOS), adds significant new knowledge to the essential role prebiotics play by creating a diverse ecology in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, the critical first step to optimal wellness,” Dr Gu said during a press conference at the Institute of Food Technology meeting held on June 14.

A diet inadequate in whole grains, vegetables and fruits – typical of an American diet – can harm the delicate ecosystem of GI tract. While the consumption of “processed foods, artificial fillers, additives and colors, as well as the use of agricultural chemicals all destroy good gut bacteria and foster the growth of bad gut flora. This cycle wears down the body’s immune defenses, leading to the possibility of chronic illness,” she said.

“PrecticX is a fundamental first step to restoring and balancing a healthy ecosystem in the digestive tract. It acts as a ‘fertilizer’ to enable good bacteria to flourish and cover our intestine with many strains of good bacteria, thus synergizes with probiotics. Most importantly, prebiotics can promote a great many good strains of bacteria and suppress bad bacteria at the same time. Prebiotics are more stable in acid and heat conditions, whereas probiotics are not. In addition, a lot of consumers like the idea that prebiotics can promote the beneficial balance of one's own flora system, in addition to adding a few strains of good bacteria that probiotics provide,” Dr Gu explained.

Zhaoping Li, MD, PhD., professor of Medicine and director of Center for Human Nutrition at UCLA, the principal investigator of the “gold-standard” human double-blind, placebo controlled PreticX trial said, “It is quite shocking to realize that the roots of the health of every organ of the body, including the brain, links with a healthy gut micro biome ”

“We have a large educational process ahead in helping consumers understand that first they must change the environment of the GI be able to achieve a healthy balance of gut bacteria. Typical consumption of Western diet will need to be supplemented with a prebiotic, such as PreticX, to change the gut environment to bring equilibrium to the gut bacteria. Prebiotics are essential for the probiotic to survive and improve health.

Prebiotics are nondigestible carbohydrates that act as food for probiotics. In summary, PreticX:
• Creates the right balance of good and bad GI tract bacteria which enables probiotics to grow and flourish in the gut
• Is backed by a UCLA “gold standard” study, showing its effectiveness to balance to the microbiome at small amounts
• Is non-GMO and gluten free
• Is one of the few ingredients in the industry that is FDA GRAS certified, acid and temperature stabile and has an excellent taste profile for food and beverage manufacturing