Page 55 - FoodFocusThailand No.219 June 2024
P. 55

STRATEGIC R & DTEGIC R & D
                                                                                                     STRA











































                     The Potential of Probiotics


                     and Prebiotics in Rice for


                     Anti-colorectal Cancer Properties



                     Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most commonly diagnosed cancers worldwide and in Thailand and
                     usually affects people over the age of 50. However, the incidence is increasing in people under the age of
                     50. Predisposing factors include smoking, urbanisation, a sedentary lifestyle, obesity, and dietary habits
                     such as high consumption of red and processed meat and a low intake of vegetables and fruit. These
                     factors contribute to the early onset of CRC in people who do not have a genetic predisposition. For over a
                     decade, studies have shown a link between CRC and gut dysbiosis, characterised by an imbalance between
                     beneficial and pathogenic bacteria.




                     Role of Probiotics Against Colorectal Cancer           1. Probiotics play a crucial role in modulating the composition
                     Probiotics are defined as live microorganisms, which when   of the intestinal microbiota, thereby mitigating gut dysbiosis, a
                     administered in adequate amounts, confer a health benefit   favourable condition for CRC development. They achieve this
                     on the host. Most probiotics belong to the natural intestinal   by reducing the quantity of putrefactive and pathogenic
                     microbiota. They are mainly Lactic Acid Bacteria (LAB), such   bacteria, competing with pathogens for nutrients and space
                     as gram-positive Lactobacillus, Leuconostoc, Lactococcus,   on the epithelium, and producing antimicrobial substances like
                     Carnobacterium, Enterococcus, Pediococcus, Streptococcus,   bacteriocins and lactic acid.
                     Tetragenococcus, Vagococcus, Oenococcus, Weissella, and   2. Probiotics strengthen the integrity of the intestinal
                     Bifidobacterium. Previous studies showed that the   epithelial barrier, essential for protecting the gut from harmful
                     multifaceted benefits of probiotics in reducing the risk of CRC   substances and pathogens. By preventing the rearrangement
                     are increasingly evident through various mechanisms.   of proteins at tight junctions and increasing the production of

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