Fructo-oligosaccharides' therapeutic uses
Fructo-oligosaccharides (FOS) are natural substances that are not fully digestible by the human body, deriving benefits primarily from their role in supporting gut health. They serve as a food source for beneficial gut bacteria, often referred to as probiotics, and are classified as prebiotics. FOS have been proposed for various therapeutic applications, including blood sugar control in diabetes, cholesterol management, and alleviating symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). However, the efficacy of FOS in these roles appears to be inconsistent based on available research. For instance, while some studies suggest potential benefits in improving cholesterol profiles and aiding iron absorption, these effects are often minimal and may not be significant enough for clinical relevance.
FOS may also offer some protective benefits against travelers' diarrhea, though evidence from studies shows limited effectiveness. Additionally, there are indications that FOS could enhance magnesium and copper absorption, alongside demonstrating potential to support immune health in infants. Despite these potential therapeutic uses, common side effects such as bloating and discomfort can occur, particularly at higher doses. Overall, while FOS is viewed as a generally safe supplement, its benefits for specific health conditions remain an area of ongoing research.
Fructo-oligosaccharides' therapeutic uses
- DEFINITION: Natural substance used to treat specific health conditions.
- PRINCIPAL PROPOSED USES: None
- OTHER PROPOSED USES: Diabetes (blood sugar control), high cholesterol, irritable bowel syndrome, travelers’ diarrhea, iron absorption, low-calorie artificial sweetener
Overview
Fructo-oligosaccharides (FOS) are starches that the human body cannot fully digest. Inulin and galacto-oligosaccharides (GOS) are similar substances also discussed. When a person consumes FOS, the undigested portions provide nourishment for bacteria in the digestive tract. “Friendly” bacteria (probiotics) may respond particularly well to this nourishment. Because FOS feed probiotics, they are sometimes called prebiotics.
Low doses of FOS are often provided along with probiotic supplements to aid their growth. High doses of FOS (and related substances) have been advocated for a variety of health conditions.
Requirements and Sources
There is no daily requirement for FOS. FOS and related substances are found in asparagus, Jerusalem artichokes, leeks, onions, and soybeans, among other foods.
Therapeutic Dosages
When taken simply to promote healthy bacteria, FOS are often taken at a dose of 4 to 6 grams (g) daily. When used for therapeutic purposes, the typical dose of FOS is 10 to 20 g daily, divided into three doses and taken with meals. Side effects are common at a daily intake of 15 g or more.
Therapeutic Uses
Animal studies hint that FOS, GOS, and inulin can significantly improve cholesterol profile; however, study outcomes in humans have been inconsistent at best. One study found that while inulin might produce a short-term benefit, any such benefit disappears after six months of use.
At most, it appears that FOS might improve cholesterol profiles by 5 percent, an amount too small to make much of a difference in most circumstances. These relatively poor results might be because humans cannot tolerate doses of FOS much above 15 g daily without developing gastrointestinal side effects.
FOS has also been suggested for preventing travelers’ diarrhea. However, in a large (244-participant) double-blind study, FOS at a dose of ten g daily again offered only minimal benefits. Probiotics themselves might be a better bet.
Another study found that the use of FOS might help reduce incidents of diarrhea, flatulence, and vomiting in preschoolers. According to most studies, FOS at 10 to 20 g daily do not improve blood sugar control in people with type 2 diabetes.
FOS have been advocated as a treatment for irritable bowel syndrome. However, research results are inconsistent at best. For example, a six-week, double-blind study of 105 people with mild irritable bowel syndrome compared 5 g of fructo-oligosaccharides daily against a placebo and returned conflicting results. According to some measures of symptom severity employed by the researchers, use of FOS led to an improvement in symptoms. However, according to other measures, FOS worsened symptoms. Conflicting results, though of a different kind, were also seen in a twelve-week, double-blind, placebo-controlled study of ninety-eight people. Treatment with FOS at a dose of 20 g daily initially worsened symptoms, but over time, this negative effect wore off. At no time in the study were clear benefits seen, however. One study did find benefits with a combination prebiotic-probiotic formula, and another study found the combination beneficial for women with constipation when taken in yogurt.
Small double-blind studies found that FOS at a dose of 10 g daily may improve magnesium absorption in postmenopausal women. Whether this is beneficial remains unclear, since magnesium deficiency is not believed to be a widespread problem. FOS may also slightly increase copper absorption but does not appear to affect the absorption of calcium, zinc, or selenium.
A randomized, placebo-controlled trial involving 134 infants less than six months old whose parents suffered from allergies found that those fed a prebiotic combination of FOS/GOS experienced a significant reduction in both allergy symptoms and minor infections that lasted at least through age two. The researchers suggested that the favorable effects of prebiotics on intestinal bacteria early in life may produce lasting benefits to the immune system. One study found that using inulin promoted the growth of probiotic bacteria in the bifidobacteria family. Another small study with infants found that FOS may prevent the development of eczema in babies. Finally, studies also indicated that FOS may prevent iron loss and help iron absorption post-surgery.
FOS is often used as an alternative to low-calorie artificial sweeteners, which are known to cause weight gain and upset blood sugar. This, combined with its high fiber content, was another way FOS could help in the treatment of type 2 diabetes.
Safety Issues
FOS appear to be generally safe. However, they can cause bloating, flatulence, and intestinal discomfort, especially when taken at doses of 15 g or higher daily. People with lactose intolerance may particularly suffer from these side effects.
Bibliography
Arslanoglu, S., et al. "Early Dietary Intervention with a Mixture of Prebiotic Oligosaccharides Reduces the Incidence of Allergic Manifestations and Infections During the First Two Years of Life." Journal of Nutrition, vol. 138, 2008, pp. 1091-1095.
Bittner, A. C., et al. "Prescript-Assist Probiotic-Prebiotic Treatment for Irritable Bowel Syndrome." Clinical Therapeutics, vol. 27, 2005, pp. 755-761.
Bouhnik, Y., et al. "Prolonged Administration of Low-Dose Inulin Stimulates the Growth of Bifidobacteria in Humans." Nutrition Research, vol. 27, 2007, pp. 187-193.
De Paula, J. A., E. Carmuega, and R. Weill. "Effect of the Ingestion of a Symbiotic Yogurt on the Bowel Habits of Women with Functional Constipation." Acta Gastroenterologica Latinoamericana, vol. 38, 2008, pp. 16-25.
Forcheron, F., and M. Beylot. "Long-term Administration of Inulin-Type Fructans Has No Significant Lipid-lowering Effect in Normolipidemic Humans." Metabolism, vol. 56, 2007, pp. 1093-1098.
“Fructo-oligosaccharides (FOS) and Other Oligosaccharides – Health Information Library.” PeaceHealth, 5 June 2015, www.peacehealth.org/medical-topics/id/hn-2847006. Accessed 20 Nov. 2024.
Johnson, John. “Are Fructooligosaccharides Safe?” Medical News Today, 12 Jan. 2018, www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/319299. Accessed 20 Nov. 2024.
Paineau, D., et al. "The Effects of Regular Consumption of Short-Chain Fructo-Oligosaccharides on Digestive Comfort of Subjects with Minor Functional Bowel Disorders." British Journal of Nutrition, vol. 99, no. 2, 2008, pp. 311-318.
Waligora-Dupriet, A. J., et al. "Effect of Oligofructose Supplementation on Gut Microflora and Well-Being in Young Children Attending a Day Care Centre." International Journal of Food Microbiology, vol. 113, no. 1, 2007, pp. 108-113.
Whelan, Cory. “Fructooligosaccharides.” Healthline, 125 Jan. 2024, www.healthline.com/health/fructooligosaccharides. Accessed 20 Nov. 2024.