Steward Brand famously said, “if you don’t like bacteria, you’re on the wrong planet.” Bacteria and other microbes (such as viruses and fungi) are everywhere. As children, we may have learned that microbes make us sick, but the vast majority of microbes are not threatening at all. In fact, many microbes are vital to our existence: Trillions of commensal bacteria live in and on our bodies and contribute to our health. Collectively, these microbial populations are referred to as our microbiome.
The gut microbiome refers to the microbial populations that live in our gastrointestinal (GI) tract. This microbial community is so extensive that it is considered one of the densest ecosystems on the planet. While microbes live everywhere along the GI tract, by far the densest population lives in our large intestine, where they interact closely with our human cells.
Intuitively, our gut microbiome is necessary for several core digestive functions like recovering energy from undigested foods, absorbing certain nutrients, and encouraging GI transit to eliminate waste. Recent discoveries have demonstrated that gut microbes play several additional biological roles, including:
The gut microbiome requires the right balance of beneficial microbes supported by a good diet and lifestyle. Certain microbes are more health-promoting than others: They either produce healthful metabolites—a component of postbiotics, which we’ll discuss in more detail below—or they effectively crowd out (and sometimes even attack!) pathogenic bacteria, outcompeting them for food and space.
This article provides an overview of the science behind the gut microbiome and outlines the central role fiber and prebiotic supplements play in maintaining gut health.
The International Scientific Association for Probiotics and Prebiotics (ISAPP) defines a prebiotic as “a non-digestible compound that, through its metabolization by microorganisms in the gut, modulates the composition and activity of the gut microbiota, thus, conferring a beneficial physiological effect on the host.”
Put more simply, prebiotics are typically types of fiber (but also include other compounds like phytochemicals) that nourish health-promoting gut microbes. The diversity and vitality of the microbial species in our gut hinges on the food they have to consume, which, in turn, is a reflection of our diet. Prebiotics supplement our diet to encourage the right balance of beneficial microbes. When fermented, prebiotics also support the production of health-beneficial microbial byproducts (metabolites) like short-chain fatty acids—namely: acetate, propionate, and butyrate.
AgriFiber’s corn bran extracted soluble fiber (AgriFiber SFC) is mainly arabinoxylan, a dietary fiber with known prebiotic properties. Additionally, AgriFiber has clinical research demonstrating the unique prebiotic properties and metabolic benefits of AgriFiber SFC.
Prebiotics are just one of three related supplements designed to promote gut health. The other two actors are probiotics and postbiotics. Together, pre-, pro-, and postbiotics represent a complete metabolic cycle.
As a reminder, prebiotics are targeted nutrition for health-promoting species already members of the gut microbiome.
The ISAPP also defines probiotics as “live microorganisms which when administered in adequate amounts confer a health benefit on the host.” In other words, probiotics are the actual health-promoting microbes often targeted by prebiotics, and they must be alive when supplemented.
While probiotics are the live microbes, postbiotics are the same microbes but inactivated and may also include health-beneficial microbial byproducts (metabolites). The ISAPP further defines Postbiotics as a “preparation of inanimate microorganisms and/or their components that confers a health benefit on the host.” The main benefit that postbiotics have over probiotics is their resilience to processing and the hostile environment in the stomach.
We start with the most obvious place of impact for prebiotics: The gut. Prebiotics, specifically native chicory inulin, have been shown to improve stool consistency (an effect known as “stool bulking”) and shorten intestinal transit time. Stool bulking and shortened intestinal transit times are essential to the health of our gut because, by keeping us regular, they help expel toxins from our bodies.
Prebiotics support our gut barrier. But, what is a gut barrier? Our intestine acts as a barrier to waste, toxins, and pathogenic bacteria, blocking them from entering our bodies and making us sick. Our intestine’s ability to effectively guard against intrusion is directly related to the health-beneficial microbes of our gut microbiome. These microbes reinforce our gut barrier by making our intestines more acidic, nourishing our intestinal cells, and reducing gut inflammation. By regularly consuming prebiotics, we actively support this critical function of our microbiome.
Prebiotics support the growth of microbes that closely interact with our immune system. These microbes reduce inflammation, lessen allergic responses, and strengthen our pathogenic immune responses.
Inflammation reduction is particularly important. Our whole body—not just our gut—benefits from the inflammation-fighting compounds produced by our microbiome. Systemic low-grade inflammation is believed to underlie several chronic diseases, from heart disease to diabetes.
As mentioned above, inflammation reduction is very important. Inflammation hinders our gut’s ability to uptake nutrients during digestion. Furthermore, prebiotic consumption stimulates short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) production, which is believed to improve insulin sensitivity and reduce blood lipid levels.
Research has demonstrated that prebiotic consumption is correlated with improved bone health. While the precise mechanism behind this correlation is still being investigated, it’s believed that short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) synthesis and a more acidic gut environment, both of which are accentuated by prebiotics consumption, yield enhanced calcium and mineral absorption.
Perhaps the most enigmatic health benefit of prebiotics and our gut microbiome is the “gut-brain axis.” The gut-brain axis describes the microbiome’s effect on our mental health. This cutting-edge area of research looks at how prebiotics may nourish neurochemical- and hormone-producing bacteria in the gut. An excellent example of this is research showing that prebiotics reduce blood cortisol levels, our body’s primary stress hormone.
There are three main ways to increase your prebiotic fiber intake:
Prebiotics are essential to human health and wellbeing. Increased intake of prebiotics is associated with a range of health benefits, including a better-regulated immune system, a lower risk of cardiovascular disease, and generally improved digestive health.
You can increase your prebiotic fiber intake by consuming more foods naturally rich in prebiotic fiber and choosing functional foods with added prebiotic fiber. AgriFiber SFC is a prebiotic fiber that can be added to various food formulations to make everyday foods healthier and more functional.
The information contained herein is considered to be accurate. However, no warranty is expressed or implied regarding the accuracy of the information, the results to be obtained from the use thereof, or that any such use will not infringe upon any intellectual property. We cannot anticipate all conditions under which this information may be used. We accept no responsibility for results obtained by the application of this information. Please note that none of the information herein is confirmed by any governmental agency, unless otherwise specified.
Steward Brand famously said, “if you don’t like bacteria, you’re on the wrong planet.” Bacteria and other microbes (such as viruses and fungi) are everywhere. As children, we may have learned that microbes make us sick, but the vast majority of microbes are not threatening at all. In fact, many microbes are vital to our existence: Trillions of commensal bacteria live in and on our bodies and contribute to our health. Collectively, these microbial populations are referred to as our microbiome.
The gut microbiome refers to the microbial populations that live in our gastrointestinal (GI) tract. This microbial community is so extensive that it is considered one of the densest ecosystems on the planet. While microbes live everywhere along the GI tract, by far the densest population lives in our large intestine, where they interact closely with our human cells.
Intuitively, our gut microbiome is necessary for several core digestive functions like recovering energy from undigested foods, absorbing certain nutrients, and encouraging GI transit to eliminate waste. Recent discoveries have demonstrated that gut microbes play several additional biological roles, including:
The gut microbiome requires the right balance of beneficial microbes supported by a good diet and lifestyle. Certain microbes are more health-promoting than others: They either produce healthful metabolites—a component of postbiotics, which we’ll discuss in more detail below—or they effectively crowd out (and sometimes even attack!) pathogenic bacteria, outcompeting them for food and space.
This article provides an overview of the science behind the gut microbiome and outlines the central role fiber and prebiotic supplements play in maintaining gut health.
The International Scientific Association for Probiotics and Prebiotics (ISAPP) defines a prebiotic as “a non-digestible compound that, through its metabolization by microorganisms in the gut, modulates the composition and activity of the gut microbiota, thus, conferring a beneficial physiological effect on the host.”
Put more simply, prebiotics are typically types of fiber (but also include other compounds like phytochemicals) that nourish health-promoting gut microbes. The diversity and vitality of the microbial species in our gut hinges on the food they have to consume, which, in turn, is a reflection of our diet. Prebiotics supplement our diet to encourage the right balance of beneficial microbes. When fermented, prebiotics also support the production of health-beneficial microbial byproducts (metabolites) like short-chain fatty acids—namely: acetate, propionate, and butyrate.
AgriFiber’s corn bran extracted soluble fiber (AgriFiber SFC) is mainly arabinoxylan, a dietary fiber with known prebiotic properties. Additionally, AgriFiber has clinical research demonstrating the unique prebiotic properties and metabolic benefits of AgriFiber SFC.
Prebiotics are just one of three related supplements designed to promote gut health. The other two actors are probiotics and postbiotics. Together, pre-, pro-, and postbiotics represent a complete metabolic cycle.
As a reminder, prebiotics are targeted nutrition for health-promoting species already members of the gut microbiome.
The ISAPP also defines probiotics as “live microorganisms which when administered in adequate amounts confer a health benefit on the host.” In other words, probiotics are the actual health-promoting microbes often targeted by prebiotics, and they must be alive when supplemented.
While probiotics are the live microbes, postbiotics are the same microbes but inactivated and may also include health-beneficial microbial byproducts (metabolites). The ISAPP further defines Postbiotics as a “preparation of inanimate microorganisms and/or their components that confers a health benefit on the host.” The main benefit that postbiotics have over probiotics is their resilience to processing and the hostile environment in the stomach.
We start with the most obvious place of impact for prebiotics: The gut. Prebiotics, specifically native chicory inulin, have been shown to improve stool consistency (an effect known as “stool bulking”) and shorten intestinal transit time. Stool bulking and shortened intestinal transit times are essential to the health of our gut because, by keeping us regular, they help expel toxins from our bodies.
Prebiotics support our gut barrier. But, what is a gut barrier? Our intestine acts as a barrier to waste, toxins, and pathogenic bacteria, blocking them from entering our bodies and making us sick. Our intestine’s ability to effectively guard against intrusion is directly related to the health-beneficial microbes of our gut microbiome. These microbes reinforce our gut barrier by making our intestines more acidic, nourishing our intestinal cells, and reducing gut inflammation. By regularly consuming prebiotics, we actively support this critical function of our microbiome.
Prebiotics support the growth of microbes that closely interact with our immune system. These microbes reduce inflammation, lessen allergic responses, and strengthen our pathogenic immune responses.
Inflammation reduction is particularly important. Our whole body—not just our gut—benefits from the inflammation-fighting compounds produced by our microbiome. Systemic low-grade inflammation is believed to underlie several chronic diseases, from heart disease to diabetes.
As mentioned above, inflammation reduction is very important. Inflammation hinders our gut’s ability to uptake nutrients during digestion. Furthermore, prebiotic consumption stimulates short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) production, which is believed to improve insulin sensitivity and reduce blood lipid levels.
Research has demonstrated that prebiotic consumption is correlated with improved bone health. While the precise mechanism behind this correlation is still being investigated, it’s believed that short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) synthesis and a more acidic gut environment, both of which are accentuated by prebiotics consumption, yield enhanced calcium and mineral absorption.
Perhaps the most enigmatic health benefit of prebiotics and our gut microbiome is the “gut-brain axis.” The gut-brain axis describes the microbiome’s effect on our mental health. This cutting-edge area of research looks at how prebiotics may nourish neurochemical- and hormone-producing bacteria in the gut. An excellent example of this is research showing that prebiotics reduce blood cortisol levels, our body’s primary stress hormone.
There are three main ways to increase your prebiotic fiber intake:
Prebiotics are essential to human health and wellbeing. Increased intake of prebiotics is associated with a range of health benefits, including a better-regulated immune system, a lower risk of cardiovascular disease, and generally improved digestive health.
You can increase your prebiotic fiber intake by consuming more foods naturally rich in prebiotic fiber and choosing functional foods with added prebiotic fiber. AgriFiber SFC is a prebiotic fiber that can be added to various food formulations to make everyday foods healthier and more functional.
The information contained herein is considered to be accurate. However, no warranty is expressed or implied regarding the accuracy of the information, the results to be obtained from the use thereof, or that any such use will not infringe upon any intellectual property. We cannot anticipate all conditions under which this information may be used. We accept no responsibility for results obtained by the application of this information. Please note that none of the information herein is confirmed by any governmental agency, unless otherwise specified.