Did you know that your body performs a number of jobs or functions without your conscious effort? These are critical for your survival, and digestion is one such function. We eat and drink everyday but have you ever wondered how your body is able to process all that you put through your mouth. In Singapore, our love for food sometimes leads us to neglect or abuse our digestive system.
In an effort to spread the awareness and importance of the gut in relation to overall health, Abbott Nutrition sponsored a public forum that brought together prominent speakers from the 5th Asian Conference of Lactic Acid Bacteria and Parkway Health. The event on 4th July 2009 was attended by over 260 health conscious adults, and covered areas from the role of the digestive tract, the latest scientific developments with regards to good bacteria, how to support the growth of good bacteria, to symptoms to be mindful of with regards to digestive health.
Dr Luman Widjaja, Gastroenterologist at Mount Elizabeth Hospital opened the session with an overview of the digestive system and some common complaints. Subsequently, he highlighted that colon cancer is on the rise in Singapore and apart from genetics, diet plays a crucial role, in particular the lack of fibre and too much saturated fat. Food passes through the stomach and intestines to reach the colon. There, good bacteria further breaks down food so your body is able to absorb important nutrients. A healthy diet helps maintain a balance of the right microflora (bacteria) in your colon in order to support digestive health.
Good bacteria do much more than just break down food. According to Professor Seppo Salminen, Director of Functional Foods Forum at University of Turku, Finland, good bacteria also have an effect on your immune functions, and this is especially important for people who are getting on in years. Good bacteria stimulate production of a protective lining, stimulate specialised lymphoid tissues, and suppress growth of harmful bacteria. These actions help to maintain the balance of the 'good' and 'bad' bacteria within your colon. When this balance is lost, your immunity will be affected, leaving you with a higher chance of infection and greater risk of diarrhoea or constipation.
One way to support the good bacteria in you is by paying attention to the food you eat, since this is what good bacteria survive on. Dr Ross Crittenden, Program Leader Food Science Australia and R&D Manager MG Nutritionals, Australia, presented on the significant importance of fibre as a food source for the growth of good bacteria. Prebiotics is the scientific term referring to unique fibres that are undigested in the small intestines to support the growth and activity of good bacteria in the colon. Some prebiotics are found naturally in vegetables, for example, inulin which is extracted from chicory roots.
The forum was rounded off by Associate Professor Gwee Kok Ann, Gastroenterologist at Gleneagles Hospital, who delved into the language of the stomach, liver and bowel, and what alarm symptoms to look out for. The presentation was peppered with tips for the audience on foods to avoid, and shed light on some old wives' tales with regards to foods that affect acidity. A piece of homework for the participants was to keep a 'stool diary' to monitor the effects of various factors on their stool form and pattern. We recommend you try it too.
All in, the Saturday morning was packed with information from the medical and scientific community on the digestive system, the colon in particular, the good bacteria living in there and how to feed them. Participants increased their knowledge on the topic to benefit oneself and loved ones. If you were not able to make it to the forum but will like to find out more details, do drop us a note so we can respond in future issues of Abbott Family Ties.
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