Every year, the number of diseases associated with problems in the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract is growing. A lot of factors affect his health and performance - from malnutrition to stress and an inactive lifestyle. If in youth we practically do not notice any problems with the gastrointestinal tract, then in old age they can result in something serious - even death (the mortality rate for this reason is constantly growing). That is why it is necessary to take care of the health of intestinal microflora from a young age and take timely measures to eliminate the slightest glitches. In this matter, it is not the medicines that help one that are cured, but the other that cripple. Will serve as a good helper inulin. What is it, where do they get it and how is it used? You will find comprehensive answers to these questions in this article.
What is inulin?
To get started, get to know this element better. 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 is from 5000 to 6000. The taste is sweet.
What is inulin in?
Inulin is a storage carbohydrate that can be found in many plant components. There is no inulin in animal products. Do not get it and synthetically. Thus, it is a natural prebiotic that is not digested by human digestive enzymes and easily enters the intestinal microflora. There he fulfills his main task - improves peristalsis, as well as digestion, fueling the growth and reproduction of beneficial bifidobacteria.
The industry mainly uses inulin chicory and Jerusalem artichoke. It is in these plants that this polysaccharide is found the most. Its amount reaches 20%, which is a lot. Among champions in the content of inulin there are also more familiar plants - garlic and onions. The share of this valuable component reaches 10% in them. In addition, they have many other useful properties, and therefore it is worthwhile to include them in your diet.
You can get inulin from other natural products: it is found in cereals, artichokes, raisins and even bananas. All these products are quite tasty and nutritious, and therefore, to consume them regularly is not difficult. And the body will say "thank you." Among medicinal plants, bells, violets and lilies can boast of the content of pure inulin. He is in the tubers of dandelions, daffodils, hyacinths and dahlias.
The method of obtaining inulin
How do you get inulin? What is this method that allows you to extract it from plants without destroying the molecular structure and preserving the healing properties? Inulin is obtained by the cold method, without the use of heating, which allows it to maintain its biological activity.
As a result of physicochemical processes, it is possible to obtain inulin both in the form of an amorphous powder and in the form of crystals. They are quite easily soluble in hot water and poorly in cold. During hydrolysis, inulin forms D-fructose, as well as some glucose. Along with inulin, carbohydrates related to it are also obtained from the same plants, which also produce D-fructose (levulin, pseudoinulin, sinistrin, etc.). Thus, this polysaccharide is a material for producing fructose and serves as a natural substitute for starch and sugar in diabetes mellitus.
The role of inulin in the normal functioning of the digestive tract
One of the most important properties of inulin is that it is not exposed to the digestive enzymes found in our stomach. This is due to properties and a formula close to soluble fiber. Due to this, inulin freely passes through the stomach and enters directly into the intestine. Here it 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, and pathogenic bacteria decreases (they are simply superseded). The intestinal motility improves, the digestion process accelerates. And all you need to do is enrich your diet by adding inulin to it. The benefits of plants containing it usually do not end there (which means that the body receives double or even triple benefits).
The unsplit part of inulin is removed from the body, "capturing along the way" decay products and other substances completely unnecessary for the body (heavy metals and radionuclides, toxins, etc.). Inulin also frees 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.
The interaction of inulin with vitamins and minerals
In addition to the fact that this carbohydrate plays a crucial role in improving the digestion and intestinal motility, it also has other very pleasant properties. So, inulin helps the human body to absorb various useful elements. Among them are calcium and magnesium, which by themselves are not produced by the body, but only come from food. Inulin contributes to the fact that they are absorbed an order of magnitude better - up to 30%. It favorably affects the absorption of iron, copper and phosphorus.
Inulin in the fight for immunity
This polysaccharide has a hepatoprotective as well as immunomodulating effect on our body. It is no secret that the level of immunity largely depends on the health of the intestines and stomach. If everything is in order with microflora, metabolic processes proceed easily and quickly, then the endurance of the whole organism increases. Inulin plays a decisive role here - it increases the number of beneficial bacteria (as a natural prebiotic), helps to improve lipid metabolism (eliminates bad cholesterol), and helps to absorb minerals and vitamins. It is not surprising that inulin is a benefit for the whole organism as a whole, and not just for the gastrointestinal tract. And this benefit is hard to overestimate.
The relationship between inulin and normal weight
And in the matter of losing weight or maintaining a slim figure could not do without this wonderful carbohydrate. Although they say that those who want to lose weight need to minimize the amount of carbohydrates 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 ate quite a bit. For example, inulin chicory, which is often recommended to replace coffee, will be a good helper. It has a natural sweet taste and does not require additional sweeteners. In addition, it helps to normalize digestion and accelerate metabolic processes (which means that weight loss will proceed faster).
Other properties of inulin
The next ability of this prebiotic will appeal to people who are watching their figure, and simply to those who are trying to consume less fat. The fact is that inulin gives the products in the production of which it is used, a thicker consistency and a rich creamy taste. So, light diet yogurt, in which there is practically no fat, tastes no worse than thick creamy yogurt with a high percentage of fat content. Why extra calories if there is no difference in pleasure? Here he is, inulin. What is it, if not a miracle presented by nature itself!
Inulin from the pharmacy: is it useful?
In some situations, when the state of health requires it, it is recommended to use inulin in much higher doses than it comes with daily food. For example, for patients with diabetes mellitus (first and second type), patients with ischemia, atherosclerosis, and immunodeficiency, doctors prescribe an additional dose of inulin. The instruction for this medicine also mentions other diseases, including cholelithiasis, kidney diseases, constipation, etc. In addition, it is not forbidden to use it in order to maintain energy balance with a strict diet.
In all these cases, an additional intake of inulin from the pharmacy will not do any harm, but only serve good purposes. It will help restore the metabolism of lipids and fats in the body, increase the number of Bifidus bacteria, remove harmful substances, including toxins and toxins, and lower cholesterol.
The amino acids included in its composition will also help in improving health: they will prevent fatty degeneration of the liver (arginine, methionine), help the production of insulin (leucine, isoleucine), and reduce appetite (tryptophan).
Inulin medicine: composition
In pharmacology, the most common plant from which inulin is obtained is Jerusalem artichoke, but other herbal remedies (from chicory, echinacea, coltsfoot, etc.) are also found. In addition, manufacturers often add additional components to the preparations - bran and dietary fiber, extracts and juices of wild rose, ginseng, licorice, eleutherococcus. This increases the biological value of the drugs.
How to take inulin: recommendations
If inulin was prescribed by the attending physician, then it will necessarily indicate the dose and schedule of admission, which must be followed. Specific recommendations depend on the type of disease or the severity of the problem. On average, as an additive to food, experts advise taking 1-2 tablets three times a day, naturally, with meals. However, doses can reach 10 tablets in some cases.
In addition, there are some "tricks" that allow you to get the maximum benefit when taking inulin. Here is some of them:
- with colds and vitamin deficiency - use with sea buckthorn juice;
- as a tonic and blood purifier - with blackcurrant juice (strengthens capillaries, lowers blood sugar, has an atherosclerotic effect);
- for the treatment of obesity, lowering blood pressure - with beet juice (activates the liver and strengthens the capillaries);
- to increase the strength and endurance of the body - with Chinese lemongrass and ginseng (speeds up metabolism, restores health).
Inulin is very well combined with juices of various berries and vegetables, which only enhance its healing effect on the body.
Inulin and side effects
Often, useful components, even if absolutely natural and of plant origin, can have a very serious side effect on the body. Is inulin an exception? There are really practically no contraindications for its use. This is one of those natural wonders that are absolutely safe for humans.
However, there are still some warnings. They relate to the individual intolerance of some components (analyzes can help determine this). In this case, allergy may begin as a result of taking inulin. But no more serious consequences of the use of this supplement have been identified. In addition, experts still do not recommend appointing it to children under 12 years of age. Otherwise, there are no barriers to admission.
Inulin is useful to everyone and at any age
Here he is, a small polysaccharide with the modest and inconspicuous name "inulin." Reviews about him, however, are by no means modest. Still would! This is truly a priceless substance for our entire body, from the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract to the strengthening of immunity and maintaining a normal weight. Regular consumption of foods containing a sufficient amount of inulin (cereals, artichokes and asparagus, bananas and raisins, replacing coffee with chicory, and potatoes with Jerusalem artichoke) contributes to the overall healing of the body and the solution of certain problems in the work of some 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, it will be an excellent way to prevent and treat osteochondrosis, and reduce the likelihood of a heart attack. And if in the first case it is enough to get this carbohydrate from food, then at a more mature age it is worth thinking about the additional intake of drugs containing inulin. Their price is low and quite affordable even for senior citizens. Fortunately, today there is a huge selection of natural remedies, enriched with additional valuable components - dietary fiber, juices and extracts of licorice, eleutherococcus, ginseng, parsley, etc. Maintain the inulin content in the body at the proper level and be healthy.