Journal of Gastrointestinal & Digestive System
Open Access

Abstract

Research has found that alterations in colonic microbiota, or dysbiosis, are now implicated in irritable bowel syndrome and inflammatory bowel diseases. Prebiotics are inert substances that stimulate the growth of probiotic organisms, whereas probiotics are human bacterial organisms fed in supplements or foods (yogurts) that benefit the host. There has been great interest in the role of mainly probiotics and the treatment of childhood diarrhoea, antibiotic associated diarrhoea, Clostridium difficile infection, Irritable bowel syndrome and inflammatory disease, which although beneficial, have produced equivocal findings. Past scientific evidence for the use of prebiotics is found mainly in the areas of enhanced gut microflora and immune protection. However there is now an exciting body of evidence which supports the role for prebiotics in reducing the risk and severity of GI infection and inflammation, including diarrheoa, inflammatory bowel disease, and ulcerative colitis as well as bowel function disorders, including irritable bowel syndrome. Furthermore prebiotics also increase the bioavailability and uptake of minerals and moreover new data suggests that prebiotics can reduce the risk of obesity by promoting satiety and weight loss. This presentation will seek to educate healthcare professionals on the importance of using prebiotics as opposed to probiotics in the management of GI disease with a focus on a unique second generation prebiotic which has been developed in the UK specifically designed to promote a healthy GI tract and reduce the incidence of GI disease.

Biography

Alison Burton-Shepherd is a Nurse Tutor at the Florence Nightingale School of Nursing and Midwifery, Kings College London. She is also a Queen?s Nurse, a title awarded to her for her role in striving for and maintaining excellence in nursing care. Also a freelance Registered Nutritionist, she has over 70 peer reviewed publications and is on the Editorial Board for the OMICS Journal of Food and Nutritional Disorders. Burton-Shepherd is also a ?Clinical Navigator? for a local community based ?Out of Hours? medical service.