The Role of Fibers and Prebiotics in Maintaining a Healthy Gut Microbiome
1. Healthy GUT Healthy Life
Fibers play major role for healthy human Microbiome
All disease begins in the GUT –Hippocrates
It is estimated 100 trillions microbes in GUT
Davender Singh Ahlawat
Head Business Development
+91-8447437271
Zeon Life sciences Ltd.
4. Fiber
• "Fiber" is a type of carbohydrate but, unlike other carbs, it cannot be broken down into digestible
sugar molecules. Therefore, fiber passes through the intestinal tract relatively intact as humans lack
the digestive enzymes required to break them down.
• Fiber is mostly found in plant foods, including vegetables, fruits, legumes, whole grains, nuts and
seeds
• Fibers facilitate the growth of healthy microbiome, Some fibers are fermented in the large intestine
by gut bacteria to provide beneficial SCFAs and a small amount of energy (2kcal/ per gram).
Recognized as
essential
nutrient
6. Why Need Fibers?
• Considered as a super food because it passes through the digestive system intact, waste are
collected and more easily carried out of the body.
• Fibers provide a source of food for the various beneficial bacteria present within the gut helps to
maintain normal human flora, further assisting the digestive process and positive impacting the
immune system as a result.
• Since soluble fibers dissolve in water interact more dynamically within the body. Fermentation of soluble
fiber release many SCFAs which contribute significantly to the prevention and treatment of health
conditions including diabetes, atherosclerosis, hypertension, heart disease and even cancer.
FateofDietaryFiberintheGItract
7. Soluble fibers
• Soluble fiber dissolves in water to form a gel-like material
and slowdown the gastric emptying , slow digestion & Help
body absorb essential vit & minerals from food and Help in
weight management, Optimize GI
• Few Soluble are fermentable fibers which release SCFA
(acetate, propionic acid, butyrate) metabolism, promote
growth of healthy bacteria and enhance immune system.
8. Significance of Soluble fibers
• In small intestine soluble fibers entraps
sugars, fat and cholesterol and helps
decreasing total cholesterol levels & LDL
levels, Improves glycemic index
• Ensure healthy bowl movements
• Increase immunity and insulin
sensitivity and satiety
Soluble
9. Insoluble fibers
Insoluble fiber does not blend with the water and
passes through the digestive system mostly intact.
It functions mostly as a "bulking" agent, and may
help speed the passage of food and waste
through your gut and add bulk to stool.
10. Significance of Insoluble fibers
• Increase excretion of bile acids
• Decrease intestinal transits time(laxative
effects)
• May help to reduce the risk of
haemorrhoids (piles) and diverticulosis
Helps good gut bacteria to grow
• Insoluble fiber tends to increase the “speed
of transit” through our digestive systems,
adds bulk to our stools, and increases the
regularity of bowel movements, prevent
constipation.
11. PREBIOTICS & PROBIOTICS
• Prebiotics vs Probiotics
• Significance & health benefits
• Market Products/formulations
12. Prebiotics
“A non-digestible food ingredient that beneficially affects the host by
selectively stimulating the growth and/or activity of one or a limited number
of bacteria in the colon, and thus improves host health”.
• Most prebiotics are dietary fibers, but not all dietary fibers are prebiotics.
• All soluble fermentable fibers act as prebiotics but all soluble fibers are not
prebiotics
• Selective fermentation of prebiotic fibers generate short chain fatty acids
(SCFAs) in the colon.
1. SCFA nourishes the colon’s protective mucosa layer and strengthen the gut barrier.
2. SCFA help reduce luminal PH and improve absorption of calcium, copper and
magnesium.
3. Fight harmful bacteria.
14. Probiotics
Probiotics are live microorganisms that, when administered in
adequate amount, confer a health benefit on the host.
Probiotics help support the human bacteria that live with us and
help to maintain normal human microbiota.
Gut flora is crucial to a healthy gut.
It is estimated these are over 100 trillion microorganisms in the
gut (Backhedet.al.,2005)
16. Common symptoms due to excess intake of Dietary Fiber (>70g day)
If we increase fiber intake quickly some people
experience :
• Abdominal cramps
• Bloating or flatulence,
• Constipation
• Diarrhea
these can be minimized by increasing the DF
intake gradually & increasing the fluid intake to
atleast 2 liters/day.
The intestinal absorption of certain minerals i.e.
Ca, P, Mg, Fe, Zn decreases
Fiber drug interactions- Fiber lower the
absorption of Diabetic medication,
Antidepressants and cholesterol lowering drugs
Although there is no dietary reference intake for insoluble or soluble fiber, many experts recommend a total dietary fiber
intake of 25 to 30 grams per day with about one-fourth — 6 to 8 grams per day — coming from soluble fiber.
18. Significance of Gut Microbiota : Human health
600+ species in the Mouth,
Pharynx And Respiratory System
include:
• Streptococcus viridans
• Neisseria sicca
• Candida albicans
• Streptococcus salivarius
1000 species in Skin include:
• Pityrosporum ovale
• Staphylococcus epidermidis
• Corynebacterium jeikeium
• Trichosporon
• Staphylococcus haemolyticus
60 species in the urogenital tract
include:
• Ureaplasma parvum
• Corynebacterium aurimucosum
25 species in the
Stomach include:
• Helicobacter
pylori
• Streptococcus
thermophilus
500-1000 species in Intestine
include:
• Lactobacillus casei
• Lactobacillus reuteri
• Lactobacillus gasseri
• E.coli
• Bacteroides Fragilis
• Lactobacillus rhamnosus
Source: Published scientific literatures
Human gut has 10X
Microbial cells than
rest of the body
60-80% of immune
system is located in
the gut
20 hormones are
produced in the gut
90% information
carried by visceral
nerve from gut to
brain
100mn neurons line
the human gut,
known as second
brain
500-2000 species of
microorganisms
90% serotonin is
synthesized in the
gut
70% immune cells
reside in gut and
interact with
microbiome
19.
20. There are thought to be more than 5000 species of bacteria living in the gut Few main described below : GOOD & BAD
GOOD GOOD GOODBAD BAD
Eubiosis vs Dysbiosis
Clostridium
genus contains
more than
100 species
BAD
21. Decreased absorption of Ca & Fe
Intestinal flora affects our health
“GUT Health is beyond Digestive Health”
Compromised synth of Vit B & K
28. Probiotic Formulations
Liquid drink containing Lactobacillus
acidophilus & Bifidobacterium by
Yakult Honsha
Liquid drink containing Lactobacillus
acidophilus & Bifidobacterium by Mother
Dairy
Probiotic Range of Dairy Based Products by Danone
Dairy Products
29. Commonly used Prebiotics and Probiotics
• Major Prebiotics products in the market
• Psyllium Husk
• Inulin
• Guar Gum
• Wheat Dextrin
• (IMO) Isomaltooligosaccharide
• Pea Fiber
• Major Probiotics in the market
• Lactobacillus Lacti
• Lactobacillus acidophilus
• Bifidobacterium
30. Regulations & recommendations
For a product to be a ‘source’ of Fiber it must contain a minimum of 3g of
Fiber per 100g, or a minimum of 1.5g of Fiber per 100kcal.
For a product to claim to be ‘high Fiber’ it must contain at least 6g of
Fiber per 100g, or at least 3g of Fiber per 100kcal.
SACN provided the following recommended intakes:
• 15g/day (age 2-5);
• 20g/day (age 5-11);
• 25g/day (age 11-16);
• 30g/day (age 16-18).
“The daily diet of an adult should contain at least 40g of
dietary Fiber.”
31. Nation Recommendation/day
Europe 25 g
Ireland 25 g
Nordic countries 25–35 g (3 g/MJ)
US
28 g (women), 33.6 g (men)
(14 g/1000 kcal)
US(FDA) 25g
Australia
and New Zealand
25 g (women), 30 g (men)
Regulations & recommendations
32. Dietary Fibers : Kid’s Health
As per “age + 5” rule dietary fiber intake should increase from 8 g/day at age
3 years to 25 g/day by age 20 years for optimal health promotion and
chronic disease prevention.
Fiber intake of at least (age) + 10 g/d was associated with recovery or
improvement of constipation and colonic transit.
15 g of supplemental fiber along with a energy-restricted diet was found
to result in a 2 kg higher weight loss in obese
Cardio metabolic risk factors of obese children are improved by
recommended daily fiber intake.
33. Dietary Fibers : Elderly & pregnant woman
Elderly : 21-30g fiber intake was associated with a 14% lower
risk of myocardial infarction or stroke in elderly people
Elderly : Consumption of 25-30 g of fiber contributes to the
bulk of stools, and helps relieve constipation and lower blood
cholesterol level among elderly people.
Pregnant Woman : Dietary fiber supplements on bowel function and
constipation relieved 40 pregnant women. Experienced increase
frequency of bowel movements and change to a softer stool consistency
Pregnant Woman : Oral guar gum, a gel-forming dietary fiber
relieves pruritus in intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy
Pregnant Woman : Gestational diabetes, a common condition
occurs in pregnancy, is well- controlled with fiber rich diet
34. Dietary fiber : Various diseased conditions
34.8 g/d fiber can substantially reduce the risk of coronary heart disease, and
particularly coronary death, in middle-aged, smoking men.
Diet higher in fiber (>20 g/d) may reduce the risk of Type 2 diabetes,
potentially due to reduced inflammatory status
A high intake of dietary fibre,10g daily was associated with a reduced risk of
colorectal cancer.
Dietary fiber in individuals consuming 25 g/day may help to decrease the
prevalence of obesity
High-fiber diet 14.68g helps in obesity and hypercholesterolemia
High-fiber diet 25-30g/day helps to reduce colonization
36. Market intelligence
Global Food Fibers Market is forecasted to be valued at USD 87.86 billion by registering an estimated CAGR of
9.02%, during the forecast period.
•The major sources of food fiber are whole grains, cereals, legumes, fruits, and vegetables.
•The incorporation of plant fibers into various processed foods is a major opportunity for the food fiber market.
•The food fibers market is driven by increased demand for dietary supplements and functional food and beverage products.
Segmentation
by Application
• Food
• Beverages
• Pharma
• Others
Segmentation by Source
• Whole Grain Products
• Fruits & Vegetables
• Others