The evidence has revealed such incredible results:
- 32% reduction in antibiotic use
- daycare absenteeism reduced by 61%
- 34% reduction in fever in conjunction with any cold symptoms
- 61% reduction in fever associated with diarrhoea.
- Another study showed significant reductions in the need for antibiotics, diarrhoea, vomiting and fever.
As mentioned in my social media post, this is such an incredibly simple, yet effective treatment and my clients are blown away by how well it works.
Inulin-Type Fructans (FOS)
- Three types of FOS, delineated by their size
- inulin - the largest FOS; typically extracted from chicory roots using only hot water
- oligofructose - a medium-chain FOS; produced from inulin using enzymatic hydrolysis
- neosugar - a short-chain FOS; synthesised using a fungal organism that converts sucrose to FOS
Which is my preferred FOS and why:
Oligofructose enriched inulin (preferred FOS) – equal parts inulin and oligofructose.
It's all to do with the chain length of these sugars: Inulin is larger and oligofructose is a medium chain FOS
Why is this relevant??
Inulin ferments more slowly so is likely to make it towards the end of the colon where it is fermented by the bacteria that reside there.
Oligofructose on the other hand, being a bit shorter in length, tends to ferment more quickly so is consumed by bacteria residing in the earlier part of the colon.
When combining both, you have a better chance of extending the prebiotic effect and nurturing a range of different species in the microbiome.
Dosage
- Min. dose 3g/day
- Optimal dose is 10g/day (split into 2 x 5g dosages)
- I find as a maintenance dosage 5g/day is sufficient.
- IMPORTANT – When consuming FOS please be sure to increase the dosage slowly, start off with ¼ of a teaspoon p/day (sometimes you may need less). This is because it takes time for the microbiome to adjust and build tolerance to FOS. Symptoms experienced if you go too hard too fast include bloating, gas and distention, so please work your way up slowly.
- The product that I use in clinic is - Ariya – Synergy Inulin FOS (this is an oligofructose-enriched inulin – my preferred type of FOS as explained above).
- I now offer 15-minute acute consultations – this is for acute product prescriptions only and does not include a treatment plan.
On another note –
I do lots of microbiome testing in my clinic, FOS is a prebiotic that I regularly use to manipulate the microbiome, however, this depends largely on the bacterial composition of your microbiome and what alterations need to be made.
70-80% of the immune system is housed in and around the gastrointestinal tract, if you’re experiencing recurrent infections, allergies, or a compromised immune system, then look to the gut microbiome, almost always I see the answers hidden here and when I work with these clients we such an incredible improvement in the functioning of their immune system.
If you’re interested in microbiome testing and what’s involved then feel free to email me directly on hello@laurenwoodnaturopathy.com.au and I’ll send you some further information or alternatively, head over to the 'services' tab o my website and scroll down to Available packages. Bookings can be made via the 'Book Appointment' tab where you will be redirected to Practice Better, my client management software.
Some more information on the wonderful benefits of FOS
FOS Encourages the growth of bacteria - Faecalibacerium prausnitzii, Bifidobacterium, Lactobacilli, Roseburia, Agathobacter, Akkermansia, Anaerostipes, Coprococcus – These bacteria produce beneficial metabolites that keep the microbiome healthy, reduce inflammation and support the immune system.
FOS Reduces the abundance of bacteria - Bacteroides, Clostridia, Fusobacterium, Enterococci, Enterobacterium, and Bilophila wadsworthia. These bacteria contribute to inflammatory processes in the microbiome, certain metabolites produced by these bacteria include hydrogen sulfide, beta-glucuronidase and lipopolysaccharide, all of which cause tissue damage, stimulate the release of cytokines, and drive up inflammation.
By ingesting FOS the evidence supports decreases in the following metabolites and markers
- Beta glucuronidase – involved in detoxification (where high amounts of beta-glucuronidase inhibit proper detoxification pathways.
- Hydrogen sulfide – a toxic gas that causes tissue damage and significant GI symptoms.
- Faecal calprotectin – An acute inflammatory marker used to diagnose and differentiate IBS and IBD.
By ingesting FOS the evidence supports increases in the following metabolites and markers
- Butyrate - A short-chain fatty acid that is very important for gut health. It is the main fuel source for colonocytes (cells that line the colon), helping to keep the gut cell barrier intact, reduce inflammation (both within the gastrointestinal tract and systemically), beneficially reduce the pH, and control appetite. Low levels of butyrate production have been observed in individuals with inflammatory bowel diseases.
- Acetate - Acetate is the most abundant short-chain fatty produced by bacteria in the microbiome. When we observe low acetate in the stool, this is usually an indicator of inadequate fibre intake, an unbalanced commensal bacterial population, or impaired bowel health. Several bacterial species can also convert acetate to butyrate, it is measured that 24% of acetate gets converted to butyrate.
References:
- Saavedra, J. M. & Tschernia, A. 2002. Human studies with probiotics and prebiotics:clinical implications. Br J Nutr, 87 Suppl 2, S241-6.
- Waligora-Dupriet, A. J., Campeotto, F., Nicolis, I., Bonet, A., Soulaines, P., Dupont, C. & Butel, M. J. 2007. Effect of oligofructose supplementation on gut microflora and well-being in young children attending a day care centre. Int J Food Microbiol, 113, 108-13.