ABC Catalyst 14 & 21 August explores 'prebiotic' diet research

ABC Catalyst are doing a special two part program called 'Gut reaction', featuring Monash research. Part 1 was broadcast Thursday 14 and Part 2 on 21 August 2014.  Part 2 features a young, fit, active and apparently healthy man, Gideon Cordover, who trials a prebiotic fibre-rich diet designed by dietitian and nutrition researcher Dr Jane Muir and prepared by Masters student Trish Veitch, from the Monash Department of Gastroenterology. Gideon had been eating an unhealthy diet predominantly of fast food. In the words of the Catalyst promo, "changing the foods we eat could revolutionise our health and treat disease." 

 Prof Charles Mackay's group in the School of Biological Sciences, featured in Part 1, is also undertaking research into the impact of increasing what's called 'prebiotic' fibre in your diet. Prebiotics are fibre compounds that provide a substrate for beneficial bacteria that colonize the large bowel, and thereby stimulate the growth and activity of these bacteria, which may benefit not only digestion and absorption of minerals, but also immune system function.
See more:

• http://www.med.monash.edu.au/cecs/gastro/prebiotic/
• SOBS Dr Alison Thorburn, Professor Charles Mackay
• Photo gallery of prebiotic foods and dishes
• CCS Monash's Google+ page for more photo albums
• 14 August 2014 Catalyst "Gut Reaction" Part 1