Prebiotic

From Freepedia

Prebiotic has two separate and disparate meanings:

Before Life

The time before life appeared on the earth or any other potential planet.

Oligosaccharide

A prebiotic is a natural or synthetic substance that supports or nurtures the growth of probiotics or, more in general, beneficial intestinal bacteria such as bifidobacteria. Most prebiotics are oligosaccharides that are generally incapable of digestion in the upper gut (mouth to the distal duodenum). Having passed into the colon more or less unchanged, they are able to support growth of beneficial bacteria.

Typical dietary sources of prebiotics are Jerusalem artichokes which contain Inulin, raw oats, and unrefined wheat or barley.