Modern Health Therapy

Are called prebiotic food components or dietary supplements, based mainly on carbohydrates, which cannot be digested or absorbed during its passage through the stomach or the small intestine and reach the colon virtually intact, where they will be a source of energy for a limited number of microorganisms.

These microorganisms, called probiotics, are mainly bifidobacteria and lactobacilli (lactic acid bacteria) that are part of the normal microbiota of the gastrointestinal (GI) and may exert a beneficial effect on health. Prebiotics are, therefore, food ingredients can selectively modify the composition of the intestinal flora by stimulating the growth and activity of beneficial microorganisms to human health.

There are two possible strategies for increasing the number of these beneficial microorganisms. The first would be the oral administration of foods, food preparations or capsules, containing a large number of probiotic. The second is the addition of dietary prebiotics, as mentioned above, favor the development of these beneficial bacteria advantageously compared to other less beneficial or detrimental to health, such as clostridia and enterobacteria, also present in the TGI.

The use of probiotics seems to have certain advantages over the use of probiotic microorganisms, mainly because the latter are limited to mainly use fresh produce, which requires careful attention to technological aspects to allow it to remain at levels high enough.

In addition, these microorganisms must survive transit through the hostile conditions of the stomach and finally, to adapt and colonize the new environment. Prebiotic compounds, however, are directed specifically to serve as a fermentable substrate established probiotic bacteria, thereby promoting their rapid development and the consequent increase in metabolic activity, which promotes human health. There are also products called synbiotics, where probiotics and prebiotics are combined, which has been described as of great interest since the development of probiotic bacteria is favored by the proximity of the specific substrate.

Dietary supplements of omega-3, vitamins and minerals could reduce the number of violent and aggressive episodes among prisoners, according to a Dutch study published in the journal Aggressive Behavior. Ap Zaalberg, Ministry of Justice and his colleagues conducted the study with 200 young adult prisoners randomly assigned to one group taking the supplements or placebo.

Supplements containing vitamins, minerals, omega-3 and omega-6 were associated with a reduction of 34% of violent incidents reported by staff, so that during this period, an increase of 14% of incidents were reported in the group taking a placebo. The prisoners themselves do not, however, reported differences in their aggression and their overall health.

These results confirm those of an earlier study published in 2002 by Bernard Gesch of Oxford University in the British Journal of Psychiatry. Researchers at Oxford University is currently conducting a study which should be up to 1,000 participants.

According to Professor Michael Crawford, Institute of Brain Chemistry and Human Nutrition at London Metropolitan University, the link between diet and aggression “has the meaning being given the links between major depression, suicide and homicide reported by Dr. Joseph Hibbeln of the National Institutes of Health in the United States and data showing the absolute necessity of the brain in long-chain fatty acids.