fructooligosaccharide and Chronic-Disease

A sustainable food supply is an ever-growing public and planetary health concern influenced by food culture, food practices, and dietary patterns. Globally, the consumption of plant foods that offer physiological and biochemical benefits is increasing. In recent years, products made from yacon (

Topics: Asteraceae; Chronic Disease; Diet Therapy; Humans; Inulin; Oligosaccharides; Plant Extracts; Plant Preparations; Prebiotics

Membrane Lipid Replacement is the use of functional, oral supplements containing mixtures of cell membrane glycerolphospholipids, plus fructooligosaccharides (for protection against oxidative, bile acid and enzymatic damage) and antioxidants, in order to safely replace damaged, oxidized, membrane phospholipids and restore membrane, organelle, cellular and organ function. Defects in cellular and intracellular membranes are characteristic of all chronic medical conditions, including cancer, and normal processes, such as aging. Once the replacement glycerolphospholipids have been ingested, dispersed, complexed and transported, while being protected by fructooligosaccharides and several natural mechanisms, they can be inserted into cell membranes, lipoproteins, lipid globules, lipid droplets, liposomes and other carriers. They are conveyed by the lymphatics and blood circulation to cellular sites where they are endocytosed or incorporated into or transported by cell membranes. Inside cells the glycerolphospholipids can be transferred to various intracellular membranes by lipid globules, liposomes, membrane-membrane contact or by lipid carrier transfer. Eventually they arrive at their membrane destinations due to 'bulk flow' principles, and there they can stimulate the natural removal and replacement of damaged membrane lipids while undergoing further enzymatic alterations. Clinical trials have shown the benefits of Membrane Lipid Replacement in restoring mitochondrial function and reducing fatigue in aged subjects and chronically ill patients. Recently Membrane Lipid Replacement has been used to reduce pain and other symptoms as well as removing hydrophobic chemical contaminants, suggesting that there are additional new uses for this safe, natural medicine supplement. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Membrane Lipid Therapy: Drugs Targeting Biomembranes edited by Pablo V. Escribá.

Topics: Administration, Oral; Aging; Animals; Cell Membrane; Chronic Disease; Energy Metabolism; Glycerophospholipids; Humans; Membrane Lipids; Neoplasms; Oligosaccharides; Organelles; Oxidative Stress; Phospholipids

Yacon (Smallanthus sonchifolius), a perennial plant of the family Asteraceae native to the Andean regions of South America, is an abundant source of fructooligosaccharides (FOS). This comprehensive review of the literature addressed the role of yacon supplementation in promoting health and reducing the risk of chronic diseases. According to several preclinical and clinical trials, FOS intake favors the growth of health-promoting bacteria while reducing pathogenic bacteria populations. Moreover, the endproducts of FOS fermentation by the intestinal microbiota, short chain fatty acids (SCFA), act as substrates or signaling molecules in the regulation of the immune response, glucose homeostasis and lipid metabolism. As a result, glycemic levels, body weight and colon cancer risk can be reduced. Based on these findings, most studies reviewed concluded that due to their functional properties, yacon roots may be effectively used as a dietary supplement to prevent and treat chronic diseases.

Topics: Animals; Asteraceae; Chronic Disease; Dysbiosis; Fermentation; Food Handling; Functional Food; Gastrointestinal Microbiome; Humans; Oligosaccharides; Plant Extracts; Plant Tubers; Prebiotics; Risk Factors

Probiotics is an emerging therapeutic agent which may alleviate the symptoms of constipation. We evaluated the effectiveness of microbial cell preparation (Hexbio(®)) containing fructooligosaccharide, Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus in improving stool frequency and symptoms of chronic constipation.. A total of 120 constipated adults diagnosed using Rome III criteria were randomized and given either microbial cell preparation or placebo to be consumed twice daily. Follow-up was done after a 7-day intervention based on a questionnaire which includes an assessment of symptom profile and a stool diary.. During the intervention period, the stool frequency was higher (p = 0.001) in the treatment group. Subjects experienced less straining (p = 0.001) and sensation of incomplete evacuation (p < 0.001), as well as improved stool consistency (p < 0.001) compared to the placebo group. While a higher proportion of subjects in the treatment group had a reduction in anorectal blockage sensation and having to defecate by manual maneuvers, the differences were not statistically significant.. The results suggest that microbial cell preparation is effective in improving stool frequency and stool consistency. Furthermore, it could reduce the symptoms of straining and sensation of incomplete evacuation in adults with chronic functional constipation.. 866.59 (IRB, UMMC, Malaysia).

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Bifidobacterium; Chronic Disease; Constipation; Defecation; Double-Blind Method; Feces; Female; Humans; Lactobacillus; Male; Middle Aged; Oligosaccharides; Probiotics; Young Adult

Synbiotic intake may selectively change microbiota composition, restore microbial balance in the gut and improve gastrointestinal functions. We have assessed the clinical response of chronically constipated women to a commercially available synbiotic, combining fructooligosaccharides with Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium strains (LACTOFOS®).. Following 1 week of non-interventional clinical observation, 100 constipated adult women, diagnosed by ROME III criteria, were randomized to receive two daily doses (6 g) of synbiotic or maltodextrin (placebo group), for 30 days. Treatment response was evaluated by patient's daily record of evacuation (stool frequency, consistency and shape, according to Bristol scale), abdominal symptoms (abdominal pain, bloating and flatulence) and constipation intensity (Constipation Scoring System AGACHAN).. Patients treated with synbiotic had increased frequency of evacuation, as well as stool consistency and shape nearer normal parameters than the placebo group, with significant benefits starting during the second and third weeks, respectively (interaction group/time, P<0.0001). There were no significant differences in abdominal symptoms, but AGACHAN score was better in the synbiotic than in the placebo group.. Dietary supplementation with a synbiotic composed of fructooligosaccharides with Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium improved evacuation parameters and constipation intensity of chronically constipated women, without influencing abdominal symptoms.

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Bifidobacterium; Brazil; Chronic Disease; Constipation; Defecation; Double-Blind Method; Feces; Female; Gastrointestinal Tract; Humans; Lactobacillus; Middle Aged; Oligosaccharides; Severity of Illness Index; Synbiotics; Time Factors; Young Adult

Minimal hepatic encephalopathy (MHE) describes patients with chronic liver disease or cirrhosis who have no clinical symptoms of brain dysfunction but perform worse on psychometric tests compared with healthy subjects. The pathogenesis of hepatic encephalopathy is controversial although ammonia has been found to induce cerebral dysfunction. Increased intestinal ammonia production is due to bacterial urease activity and the production of other toxin methabolities, such as mercaptans, thioles. This study assesses the clinical efficacy of Bifidobacterium longum plus fructo-oligosaccharides (FOS) in the treatment of MHE. A total of 60 cirrhotic patients were randomly and equally divided into two groups receiving Bifidobacterium+FOS (17 males, 13 females; mean age, 46+/-11 years) or placebo (16 males, 14 females; mean age, 45+/-12 years), respectively. All patients underwent clinical and laboratory assessment psychometric tests and automated EEG analysis: neurophysiological assessment, liver function assessment, amd neuropsychological assessment. After 90 days of treatment, fasting NH(4) serum levels were significantly decreased (P=0.003), performance on Trail Making Test-A was significantly decreased (P=0.000), performance on Trail Making Test-B was significantly decreased (P=0.000), performance on the symbol digit modalities test was significantly improved (P<0.05), performance on block design was significantly improved (P=0.000), and performance on the MMSE test was significantly improved (P=0.000). We conclude that the improvement in biochemical and neuropsychological tests of the group treated with Bifidobacterium longum+FOS are interesting and merit further, close examination.

Topics: Alanine Transaminase; Ammonia; Aspartate Aminotransferases; Bifidobacterium; Chronic Disease; Double-Blind Method; Drug Therapy, Combination; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Hepatic Encephalopathy; Humans; Liver Function Tests; Male; Middle Aged; Neuropsychological Tests; Oligosaccharides; Probiotics; Treatment Outcome