Inulin
See also :
Other Names: Beta(2-1)fructans, Chicory Extract, Chicory Inulin, Dahlia Extract, Dahlia Inulin, Extrait de Chicorée, Extrait de Dahlia, Inulina, Inuline, Inuline de Chicorée, Inuline de Dahlia, Long-chain Oligosaccharides, Oligosaccharides, Oligosaccharides à Chaîne Longue, Prebiotic, Prébiotique.
Inulin is a starchy substance (resistent starch) found in a wide variety of fruits, vegetables, and herbs, including wheat, onions, bananas, leeks, artichokes, and asparagus. The inulin that is used for medicine is most commonly obtained by soaking chicory roots in hot water.
Special Precautions of Inulin
- Please do not confuse Inulin with Insulin for they are two different things.
- Using too much inulin causes more stomach problems.
- In some people it can cause gas, bloating, flatulence, and diarrhea.
- Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Not enough is known about the use of inulin during pregnancy and breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.
The benefits of Inulin are
Inulin is not digested or absorbed in the stomach. It goes to the bowels where bacteria are able to use it to grow. It supports the growth of a special kind of bacteria that are associated with improving bowel function and general health. Inulin decreases the body's ability to make certain kinds of fats.
- Lowering high levels of a kind of fat called triglycerides. Taking inulin seems to lower triglycerides by up to 19% after eight weeks of treatment.
- Constipation. Inulin helps elderly people who typically have a bowel movement only once or twice a week to have a bowel movement daily.
- Weight loss. Taking inulin in combination with chromium picolinate, capsicum, L-phenylalanine, and other nutrients, does not seem to significantly reduce weight in moderately obese people.
- High cholesterol levels. Taking inulin as a supplement does not seem to significantly lower blood cholesterol.
- Lowers the risk of Colon Cancer.
Food Sources
Plants that contain high concentrations of inulin include:
- Agave (Agave spp.)
- Asparagus
- Artichoke
- Bananas
- Burdock Root (Arctium lappa)
- Camassia|Camas (Camassia spp.)
- Chicory (Cichorium intybus)
- Coneflower (Echinacea spp.)
- Costus Saussurea lappa
- Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale)
- Elecampane (Inula helenium)
- Garlic (Allium sativum)
- Jerusalem Artichoke (Helianthus tuberosus)
- Jicama (Pachyrhizus erosus)
- Leopard's Bane (Arnica montana)
- Mugwort (Artemisia Vulgaris)
- Onions (Allium cepa)
- Wild Yam (Dioscorea spp.)
- Yacón (Smallanthus sonchifolius spp.)
