Roles Of Probiotics And Prebiotics In Colon Cancer Prevention

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By Mary Toscano

healthywordsColon cancer is linked to microbial problems in the gut. Medical science has not really come up with any definitive cure to cancer till date. However, along with regular treatments and therapies, regular intake of probiotics and prebiotics can help majorly. Taking in beneficial bacteria has proven to lower DNA damage and thus reduce the rates of colorectal cancer. Along with the intake of probiotics, it is also important to know different factors that can help like the best time to take probiotics, what probiotics to take, how much to take, etc.

Prebiotics and probiotics work simultaneously to promote good health. They work together to produce good bacteria and eliminate the bad bacteria in your digestive tract. Let’s find out as to what exactly are probiotics and prebiotics and how do they work for curing cancer and what all foods to consume to get them.

Probiotics are believed to reduce the risks of cancer significantly. They help in the following ways:

▪ Eliminating aflatoxin, a common carcinogen found in peanuts
▪ Decreasing recurrence of bladder tumors
▪ Detoxifying potential colon carcinogens
▪ Enhancing elimination of environmental toxins from the large bowel
▪ Enhancing immune cell activity

Probiotics also lessen the risk or progression of other malignancies. The combination of probiotics and prebiotics has shown to reduce cellular DNA damage that may lead to cancer and also improve immune responses largely.

Keep the bad bacteria in check

The digestive tracts in our body contain as many as 400 million different kinds of bacteria. Both bad bacteria and good bacteria exist and the bad bacteria could have some unfavorable health issues in the longer run if not checked. Poor nutrition, stress, and consumption of antibiotics are some of the circumstances that kill the good bacteria and lead to ailments such as irritable bowel movements, diarrhea, and other such issues.

Probiotic bacteria are friendly and healthy for our systems. These gut-friendly bacteria are found in fermented foods on a large scale and the topmost food being yogurt and yogurt products.

Prebiotics, as the concept goes, are not bacteria at all, but they act as food for friendly bacteria. Probiotic bacteria do not grow by itself in the human body and therefore, there is the need to consume prebiotics which lead to the generation of such healthy probiotic bacteria. The analogy works in the same way as water works for the growth and nourishment of plants.

Eat the right foods and heal the gut lining

Prebiotics come from fibers contained in some kinds of food. These fibers do not digest easily but stay in the gut and act as food which stimulates the growth of probiotic bacteria. Examples of probiotic rich foods are bananas, garlic, onions, honey, tomatoes, barley and other beans and whole grains. The importance and benefits of probiotics are increasing and more and more people are getting aware of its various positive effects. They are also added to various health drinks and foods and can also be purchased in the form of nutritional supplements additionally.

healthyplateFermented foods are an excellent source of probiotics. Make a yogurt and banana smoothie and you’re sorted on your dose of probiotics. There is no better source for such healthy probiotic bacteria than natural foods and fibers.

Studies suggest that probiotics relieve chronic diarrhea and some of the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome. Prebiotics additionally produce vitamin K which boosts the immune system, assist in the absorption of calcium and may lower the risk of colon cancer. Breast milk is rich in prebiotic content which gives the lactating babies additional protection to their immune system and also generate good bacteria. This is the reason why prebiotics are now being added to many baby foods and brands.

Thus, in addition to curing colon and other such cancers, there are various other benefits of probiotic and prebiotic foods and people need to consume these on a regular basis to eliminate any potent diseases in the body and produce and maintain these good and healthy bacteria in the system.

– Mary Toscano is a dedicated wife, a busy mom of two toddlers, an animal shelter volunteer, a health freak runner, and a passionate health and wellness blogger. All of these are her many jobs besides her day job. She aspires to having her own YouTube channel one day about healthy living and clean eating. Spending a major part of her day writing about health and wellness at probioticshub.com she educates readers about probiotics. Her goal in life is to inspire and encourage people to take care of their bodies and health. Mary’s message to the world is, “Where there is health, there will be joy, wisdom and wealth!”