the benefits of probiotics

The Benefits of Probiotics

S.O.S.

It’s the signal we use when we need help. But when your gut microbes are in trouble, it’s XOS you really want!

We’re talking about Xylooligosaccharides (unique prebiotic fibers that act like fertilizer for the friendly bacteria living in your large intestine), and, Xylooligosaccharides aren’t your ordinary prebiotics. Take a closer look to see what makes these special fibers stand out from all the others.

THE BENEFITS OF PREBIOTICS
Before we dive into XOS, let’s take a second to talk about prebiotics in general. Recently, we took a deep dive into the differences between prebiotics and probiotics, so we won’t spend too much time here with the nitty-gritty details.

What’s important to know is that prebiotic fibers are complex carbohydrates — also known as Oligosaccharides — that can survive in your digestive tract, making it safely into the colon. Other types of carbohydrates never make it that far. Instead, they’re broken apart or destroyed by your stomach acid. Which means they’re long gone when dinner time rolls around for your friendly little gut bugs.

Researchers have known about these essential fibers for decades, and they’ve recently stepped smack dab into the spotlight. There are several different types of prebiotic fibers, including Inulin, Oligosaccharides (OS), Fructo-oligosaccharides (FOS), Galacto-oligosaccharides (GOS), and Isomalto-oligosaccharides (IOS). Basically, XOS is part of one big, happy, prebiotic family.

SO, WHAT MAKES XOS DIFFERENT FROM ITS MANY “COUSINS”?
Gut health to the X-power
Inulin and FOS have been the longtime leaders in the prebiotic game. But now, there’s a new kid in town! XOS is gaining popularity thanks to its unique capabilities. You could even call it a “special skill set.”

One of the primary benefits of XOS is its ability to target good bacteria using a lower dosage than other prebiotics. In fact, doses as low as one gram have been shown to modify the gut microbiome significantly, resulting in an increase of good bacteria and a decrease of the bad.♢*

Pro Tip: If you’re not sure which microbes are friends and which are foes, get to know the eight strains of healthy gut bacteria that have your back.

This is one of the main reasons everyone is so excited about XOS. Its effect on your microbiome can contribute to significant health benefits, and it only takes a teeny bit to be effective. In other words, more bang for your gut! 

Another benefit of XOS is that it has selective growth-boosting properties of beneficial bacteria species and a unique ability to be used by those bacteria types. In fact, some studies suggest good strains of bacteria, like Bifidobacteria, actually prefer XOS to other forms of prebiotics.♢*

WHEN WAS YOUR LAST GUT CHECK
Every year, you check your health. There’s the annual physical, and even those personal diet and fitness goals you’ve set for yourself. But when was the last time you checked in on your microbial neighbors downstairs?

If you’re not sure, then it’s time for a gut check.

Your microbiome can use all the love it can get. Our diets and hectic schedules often make it difficult for our little gut gardens to flourish. In fact, three out of five American adults suffer from a condition called dysbiosis—this means the equilibrium has been thrown off and the bad microbes outnumber the good.

From bloating and burping to weight gain, tiredness, poor mood, and mental fog, there are many ways your body tries to tell you there’s a problem in your gut. If you’re experiencing these symptoms, your body is saying S.O.S., and XOS can help get your digestive system back on track.*

MORE XOS, PLEASE! plexus slim
While prebiotic fibers can be found in many fruits and vegetables, XOS fibers are found in specific foods like bamboo shoots, milk, and rice bran.

Another way to get your daily dose of XOS is to drink your Plexus Slim®!

We recognized the awesomeness of XOS from the very beginning, and you know we’re committed to using only the best ingredients. That’s why we used XOS to make Slim even better!

Slim has been clinically demonstrated to help you lose weight. But did you know it can also help promote the growth of good gut microbes?♢*

In an in vitro human gut simulator study, Slim was shown to:

Increase Lactobacillus 365 times♢*
Increase Bifidobacterium 290 times♢*
Increase Akkermansia 250 times♢*
These are all friendly strains of bacteria that help keep your microbiome balanced.

So, sip away – and take care of your gut! Getting more XOS into your diet promotes the growth of good gut microbes, which can help improve your mood and contribute great things to your overall health.♢*

♢The results of an in vitro human gut simulator study suggest that Slim’s formula may have several beneficial effects. Further research, including research conducted in humans, is needed to confirm these preliminary findings.

References

1 http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1541-4337.2010.00135.x/full

2 https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Anna_Olejnik2/publication/7674303_Probiotics_prebiotics_and_antioxidants_as_functional_foods/links/00b49526ab183450c0000000/Probiotics-prebiotics-and-antioxidants-as-functional-foods.pdf

3 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3376865/

4 http://www.nutrientsreview.com/carbs/oligosaccharides.html

5 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4528259/

6 http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.3109/09637486.2015.1064869?src=recsys

7 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24513849

8 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22940065

9 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4315779/

10 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3448089/

11 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4315779/

12 http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.4161/gmic.2.4.1610