Colonization of Beneficial Microflora in the GUT of Indian Adult Females (35-50 yrs) as Affected by Dietary Fibre Intakes.

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Probiotics and prebiotics have recently been recognized as important functional foods that enhance the establishment of beneficial bacteria in the human gut which helps in the prevention of life threatening disease. In view of this, the present study was undertaken to study the consumption pattern of prebiotic and probiotic foods and determining the gut health of normal adult females (35-50 yrs) of Urban Vadodara. METHODS: The consumption pattern of prebiotic and probiotic foods were studied using food frequency questionnaire and seven day estimated record method. Subjects were identified with frequent and least frequent intakes of these foods and their stool samples were analyzed and enumerated for beneficial micro organisms i.e. Bifidobacterium and Lactic acid bacteria and pathogenic micro organisms i.e. E. coli and Bacteriodes. RESULTS: Young adult females were found to have a frequent consumption of prebiotic and probiotic foods. Subjects taking curd more frequently reported lower occurrence of constipation and higher occurrence of flatulence. High consumption of dietary fibre also significantly increased the occurrence of flatulence. Results revealed that high consumption of onion and garlic did not significantly affect the occurrence of constipation and flatulence. Subjects consuming dietary fibre frequently showed higher counts of beneficial micro organisms and less of the pathogenic micro organisms. CONCLUSION: Consumption of more than 10 prebiotic and probiotic foods at least weekly helps to establish significantly higher number of beneficial micro organisms and decreased colonization of pathogenic micro organisms.

KEYWORDS: Constipation, Dietary fibre, Flatulence, Gut health, Probiotics, Prebiotics