The CICN is looking for participants with slow transit (1 to 3 bowel movements per week) for a new clinical study.
The aim is to see what effect a dietary supplement based on natural plant extracts (kiwi, magnolia and peony) and prebiotics (acacia gum) has on transit.
Registration : cicn@uclouvain.be
But what are prebiotics? And how do they differ from probiotics?
Probiotics are bacteria and yeasts that reach the intestine alive. They have a beneficial effect on health, helping to digest food and protecting against pathogenic micro-organisms (such as salmonella). They provide support for our intestinal microbiota.
They can be found in yoghurts, kombucha, kefir, fermented milks, etc.
The intestinal microbiota or intestinal flora is the group of non-pathogenic microorganisms present in our intestine.
It plays a role in food digestion, immunity and also in certain metabolic diseases (type 2 diabetes and obesity).
Prebiotics are the food of probiotics. They are plant fibres found in fruit, vegetables, cereal products and pulses.
They promote the development of the intestinal microbiota.
When the intestinal microbiota is out of balance (due to poor diet, antibiotics, food poisoning, etc.), intestinal problems such as bloating, flatulence, diarrhoea, constipation, etc. can occur.
It's important to get back into equilibrium thanks to a little help from pro- and/or prebiotics found in some of the foods mentioned above and/or in food supplements.