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FOS fruit-oligosaccharides

Generality

FOS, acronym of frutta-oligosaccaridi, are soluble fibers found in different fruits, vegetables and common plants.

The most known source of fructo-oligosaccharides is inulin, from which the other FOSs are obtained by enzymatic hydrolysis. Inulin, in turn, is obtained mainly from the chicory root, but is also present in onions, garlic, artichokes, bananas, leeks, asparagus, rye and wheat.

In the industrial field, FOSs are also obtained by enzymatic synthesis from sucrose, according to a process known as transfructosylation.

From the chemical point of view, the fructo-oligosaccharides consist of 3-5 units of monosaccharides (D-glucose and D-fructose).

FOSs are very important in the nutritional and health fields, where they are used as "artificial" sweeteners and especially as prebiotics.

The latter term identifies a group of substances indigestible to humans but not for the bacterial flora that colonizes its intestine.

Characteristics of prebiotics and FOS
  1. they are not absorbed or hydrolyzed in the first section of the digestive tract;
  2. selectively stimulate the growth and / or activity of a limited number of bacteria in the colon;
  3. positively modify the relationship between symbiotic ("friends") and pathogenic microorganisms;
  4. induce positive luminal or systemic effects for human health.

Indications

Why are FOSs used? What are they for?

The FOS exert a beneficial action against the intestinal microbiota, safeguarding its biodiversity and functionality.

The microbiota or intestinal flora is the set of microorganisms that populate the human gastrointestinal system in a symbiotic mutualism.

The clinical applications of the FOSs would therefore be attributed both to the aforementioned functional activity, and to mechanical activity, as fibers.

At the moment, FOSs are used:

  • As an intestinal regularizer, both for the mass-forming action, and for the activity on the microbiota;
  • As a digestive support in case of dyspepsia;
  • As useful supplements during dysmetabolisms such as hypertriglyceridemia and hypercholesterolemia;
  • As useful remedies to reconstruct an adequate intestinal flora, after antibiotic therapy;
  • As a useful supplement to rebalance the absorption of minerals, such as calcium and magnesium.

The FOS are indicated in case of:

  • constipation
  • digestive deficiencies and gastrointestinal disorders (colitis, diarrhea, meteorism)
  • hypercholesterolemia and hypertriglyceridemia
  • rebalancing of the bacterial flora after antibiotic therapy

Less potential, but particularly interesting, would also be the potential functions of FOS as immunomodulating, antibacterial and protective agents against colorectal cancer.

Property and Effectiveness

What benefits have the FOS shown?

The numerous biological functions of FOS, widely documented both by experimental studies and by extensive clinical trials, would be mostly due to direct action against intestinal microbiota.

Once assumed, the FOS reach the cecum and the colon almost unchanged, where they selectively stimulate the growth and metabolic activity of the beneficial strains, such as bifidobacteria infantis, adolescentis and longum . These probiotic bacteria use FOS sugars to grow and reproduce, producing short chain organic acids (acetic, lactic and formic) that inhibit the growth of pathogens.

The aforementioned activity justifies the functional and metabolic role of FOS.

FOS and cancer

The antitumor action of FOSs would seem mostly related to the increase in concentrations of butyric acid and other short-chain fatty acids, which would follow the ingestion of these nutrients.

Short chain fatty acids would exert a mucoprotective activity, protecting intestinal mucous membranes from the action damaging to potential irritants and modulating at the same time the normal turnover of enterocytes.

FOS and dysmetabolisms

The same short chain fatty acids would seem to intervene in the control of the activity of some important enzymes involved in the synthesis of cholesterol.

In fact, regular intake of FOS would seem to be associated with a significant reduction in blood concentrations of both triglycerides and LDL cholesterol, thus exerting an important preventive action against possible cardiovascular complications.

FOS and intestinal infections

The antiseptic action of FOS should be attributed both to the production of short chain fatty acids, some of which with direct antibacterial functions, and to the ability to increase the vitality of Bifidobacteria and Lactobacilli. These microorganisms are in fact able to actively compete with various pathogens, such as clostridia, salmonella, candida, staphylococci, shigella and others.

FOS and minerals

The protective action of short-chain fatty acids would also seem valuable for chronic-degenerative diseases such as osteoporosis.

Through mechanisms that are not yet fully known, the use of FOS and the consequent production of short-chain fatty acids would seem to enhance the absorption profile of minerals such as calcium and magnesium.

Doses and method of use

How to use FOS

FOSs are present on the market as:

  • prebiotic food supplements;
  • symbiotic food supplements, where they are therefore associated with probiotics (bacteria with a protective function);
  • functional food ingredients.

The dosage generally used is between 4 and 10 g per day, which has proved to be effective and safe.

The nutritional supplements based on fructo-oligosaccharides are presented as a white powder with a sweet taste, generally pleasant and easily soluble.

Side effects

At the recommended doses (2-10 g / day) the fructo-oligosaccharides are optimally tolerated.

For this reason, even the most delicate subjects, such as pregnant women, the elderly and children, can safely take FOS-based supplements.

Higher dosages could determine the onset of

  • meteorism (common at doses above 30g / day)
  • borborigmi and intestinal swelling (common at doses above 40g / day)
  • cramps and diarrhea (common at doses above 50g / day)

The same symptoms, however, could also occur at lower doses in particularly predisposed patients.

When should FOS not be used?

The use of FOS is contraindicated in case of hypersensitivity to the substances contained and to inulin.

Pharmacological Interactions

Which drugs or foods can modify the effect of FOS?

There are currently no known pharmacological interactions between FOS and other active ingredients.

Precautions for use

What do you need to know before taking FOSs?

The use of FOS should be carried out with particular caution in patients suffering from irritable bowel syndrome, abdominal swelling, alternate alvo and other gastro-enteric symptoms due to fiber intake.

The same caution should be used by patients with lactose intolerance; the same should avoid taking doses above 10g.

Deepening Video: Inulin and prebiotics

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