FOS, Inulin: Prebiotics...good or bad?

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FOS, Inulin: Prebiotics...good or bad?
« on: February 06, 2010, 10:17:52 PM » by hi_itsgwen

I ran across some information tonight that I thought would be really helpful for those of you dealing with Leaky Gut and/or Allergy issues.

There is a strain of 'prebiotic' being added to many probiotics, yogurts, vitamins, etc. now called Inulin or FOS.

What is it?
Fructo-oligosaccharides (FOS)and inulin are types of fructo-polysaccharides, comprised of -(glucose-fructose)- subunits. The only difference between FOS and inulin is polymer chain length. Inulin/FOS also goes by the name of Neosugar, Alant Starch, Atlanta Starch, Alantin, Dahlin, Helenin, and Diabetic Sugar. Inulin tastes sweet, cannot be digested by humans, and is soluble (unlike cellulose).

How are they used?
Since Inulin/FOS is indigestible by our bodies, it gets transported to the large intestine where it feeds microbes and promotes fermentation. Inulin/FOS has been dubbed a "prebiotic", essentially serving as fertilizer for the bacteria in your colon. Certain lactobacillus species of bacteria have been shown to preferentially ferment Inulin/FOS. For this reason, it is being promoted as a supplement to feed the good bacteria in our guts." (from same link as above)

I found this elsewhere on WTM, but this illustrates the idea behind using FOS/inulin as a pre-biotic.
FOS Fosters Good Bugs (from reply #2)

"Fostering the healthy growth of microorganisms called bifidobacteria in our lower intestines can also promote better digestion while possibly dropping our risks of cancer and heart disease. (These little germs may produce anticarcinogenic substances and help eliminate harmful fats before our bodies absorb them.) These helpful bacteria thrive on starches called fructooligosaccharides (FOS). FOS, found in fruits and vegetables, can also be taken as a supplement made from Jerusalem artichokes. Because it feeds these good bugs, FOS has been credited with lowering blood pressure, reducing blood fats and reducing constipation."

OK...but THIS is what you need to see if you are dealing with or *think* you might be dealing with *bad* microbes/yeasties/etc. in the gut:

Inulin/FOS feeds only good bacteria, right?

"Wrong. Manufacturers claim that Inulin/FOS specifically feeds only good bacteria. The reality of the situation is much different. If you examine the scientific literature about Inulin/FOS, you will find that this is untrue. The best example is concerning Klebsiella. Recent studies have shown that Inulin/FOS encourages the growth of Klebsiella, a bacterium implicated in Ankylosing Spondylitis and increased intestinal permeability. Inulin/FOS may indeed promote the growth of lactobacillus bacteria, but what other potentially harmful bacteria are we feeding as well? Furthermore, we have not even addressed the issue of yeast. Many different species of yeast are able to utilize Inulin/FOS for energy.

Historically, microbes have demonstrated the innate ability to adapt to almost any condition and fuel source. If bacteria can adapt to break down industrial solvents in our soil and use them for energy, it would be irresponible to think that they will not adapt to utilize Inulin/FOS, a high energy carbohydrate. There are hundreds of different species of bacteria and several yeast strains living in our GI tracts. Studies have only looked at the effects of Inulin/FOS on a handful of these microbes."

Also: I found this interresting as well, as these foods are often considered *allergenic* (the following quotes are from the same link as above)

"[FOS/Inulin] is found naturally in asparagus, garlic, Jerusalem Artichokes, chicory root, and others."

Is it possible to be allergic to Inulin/FOS?

Yes. In one documented case, inulin caused an anaphylactic reaction. As the use of Inulin/FOS as an additive in the food industry increases, reports of allergic responses will probably increase. "Inulin may be the culprit behind more food allergies than is currently recognized."

What are the recognized side effects of ingesting Inulin/FOS?

Assuming one is not allergic to Inulin/FOS, the typical side effects will vary depending on one’s level of tolerance. The list of known side effects include: flatulence, bloating, cramps, abdominal pain, and diarrhea. As Inluin/FOS permeates our food supply, the list of side effects is expected to grow.

Conclusion -

In theory, a food additive that could specifically feed good bacteria might prove useful for intestinal health. Given the nature of the microbes and their ability to quickly adapt to various carbohydrate foods sources, it seems highly unlikely that such a chemical will be developed. Inlulin/FOS has been touted as such a molecule, but seems to fail the test as you examine it further. Even if Inluin/FOS did display specifity for beneficial bacteria, do we know enough about the complex microbial ecology of the human GI tract to deem a species of bacteria better than the others? The GI tract is much like a rain forest with a very complex web of life. What would happen to a rain forest if, in our arrogance, we decided to spread a chemical that fertilized one specific type of tree? Would the overgrowth of one species be beneficial? Our GI tracts have adapted to house a variety of microbes and to disrupt this balance might be detrimental to our health. With these concerns, we recommend staying far away from any product with Inulin/FOS." (references cited here)

Please note: the point of this is not to make anyone *afraid* of Inulin/FOS, but just to caution you to use it wisely in situations and at times when you are *sure* that you're feeding the wanted bacteria/flora...not unknowingly supporting the bad ones.

« Last Edit: February 06, 2010, 10:20:59 PM by hi_itsgwen »
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Re: FOS, Inulin: Prebiotics...good or bad?
« Reply #1 on: February 07, 2010, 01:07:49 AM » by denim&lace

Thank you Gwen. This is very helpful. I just switched pro-biotics for my daughter to a chewable and she has not tolerated it well. The difference in ingredients? FOS.

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Re: FOS, Inulin: Prebiotics...good or bad?
« Reply #2 on: February 07, 2010, 01:32:42 AM » by mykidsmom

This could explain Luke's massive overgrowth of kliebsella bacteria in his gut when we first got him diagnosed. I had been using a probiotic with that in it for quite some time. With each dose probably making him worse. It also explains why some of the allergies are showing up now. Asparagus being one of them. It made no sense since we rarely eat it. Our last probiotic had inulin/FOS in it also. DUH

Good info! Thanks, Gwen! Little pieces of the puzzle at a time.

patti

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