Tuesday, April 26, 2005

Prebiotic ingredient plus probiotics reduces cancer risk

An European Union-funded project has found that a prebiotic ingredient in conjunction with probiotics can help reduce the risk of colorectal cancer.

Raftilose Synergy1, an enriched inulin-composition patented by Belgian ingredient company Orafti, was shown, when taken with probiotics, to significantly limit damage to cell DNA.

Dr Anne Franck, executive vice president of science and technology at Orafti, said the research had demonstrated that the ingredient was “particularly effective in those who have had intestinal polyps removed.”

The double-blind randomised placebo-controlled study involved 80 people who had either had intestinal polyps (precancerous lesions) removed or had been treated for colon cancer. Half of each group was given a placebo and the other half a symbiotic (12g/day Raftilose Synergy1 and probiotics Bifidobacterium bifidum BB12 and Lactobacillus rhamnosus LGG). The trial volunteers consumed either the symbiotic or placebo everyday for 12 weeks.

The researchers found that in people with a high risk of colon cancer, those receiving the treatment had significantly decreased damage to their cells’ DNA, compared to those who consumed the placebo.

In addition, the people with colon cancer had an enhanced immune response, producing more interferon gamma which has antiviral activity and helps to avoid proliferation of potentially damaging cells. Cell proliferation of epithelial cells was reduced in the group taking synbiotics.

Courtesy of Nutraingredients.com 4/26/2005

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