Research highlight: prebiotic diet 'could revolutionise our health'

Catalyst ABC TV are running a two part series on gut biota and its effect on our health. Part 1 was screened last week, featuring SOBS researchers Professor Charles Mackay and Dr Alison Thorburn. This week (8 pm Thursday 21 Aug), Part 2 screens with a young, fit, active and apparently healthy man, Gideon Cordover, who trials a fibre-rich diet designed by dietitian and nutrition researcher Dr Jane Muir and prepared by Masters student Trish Veitch, from Central Clinical School. Gideon has 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." See more about the prebiotic diet at www.med.monash.edu.au/cecs/gastro/prebiotic/.

Photo of the week: Prebiotic food

Vegetables high in prebiotic fibre

The Department of Gastroenterology is 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. ABC Catalyst are doing a special two part program called 'Gut reaction', being broadcast Thursday 14 and 21 August 2014. See more:

• http://www.med.monash.edu.au/cecs/gastro/prebiotic/
• Photo gallery of prebiotic foods and dishes
• CCS Monash's Google+ page for more photo albums