What’s New?

By Hannah D Holscher, PhD, RD; Robert Hutkins, PhD; Mary Ellen Sanders, PhD
Interest in probiotics, prebiotics and fermented foods has tremendously increased in the last few years. But what are they exactly, how can they be incorporated into your diet and what is the science behind? To find out the answers and even more, check out the ISAPP sponsored article in the Special Continuing Education Supplement of the Today’s Dietitian magazine. Dietitians can take this free continuing educational course to get informed and stay up-to-date on this topic. 

By Randal K Buddington, PhD, University of Tennessee
Professor Buddington takes a deep dive into the expanding research on prebiotics and the role of the gut microbiome in human health. This is an on-demand self-study module and continuing education opportunity offered free to members by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. 

By Chris Rosenbloom, PhD, RDN
“One of the hottest topics in health and wellness is the gut microbiome. The human gastrointestinal tract is host to one of the most complex ecosystems on the planet. So important is the gut microbiome that it has been dubbed our second brain for its role in influencing our health”.
Read the full blog to find out how a specific prebiotic dietary fiber called inulin can positively influence the microbes in our gut, why this is important, what they do, why we should eat them and  – most importantly, where we can find them.

Researchers and consumers alike are asking what can be done to support our immune system, even more so during the ongoing pandemic. The influence of the microbiome is key in the link between the gut and the inner defence system. Read about how your immune function can be supported by prebiotics (and probiotics) in this recent interview, published by NUTRAingredients.com.

By Sharon Palmer, MSFS, RDN and Lori Zanteson in Today’s Dietitian
Did you know that only about 5 % of Americans are meeting the daily fiber recommendation? Dietary fiber is associated with a number of health benefits including digestive health, lowering cholesterol levels and decreasing the risk of type 2 diabetes to name a few. Even more positive effects are associated with prebiotic fibers, like chicory root fiber. In this concise overview you can learn more about the terms and categories of the different types of fiber and most important of all, you can learn what you can do to fill the “fiber gap”. Read more here.

If you always wondered about that, check out this infographic developed by the International Scientific Association for Probiotcs and Prebiotics (ISAPP) which contains all the information you need around prebiotics in a nutshell. The information is visualized in a short educational video as well.

As part of the Early Nutrition Programming Project, this study confirmed significant benefits of prebiotic supplementation in 160 healthy infants on bowel habits (softer stools), positive effects on microbiota and shorter duration of infections. This is the first study with oligofructose-enriched inulin covering the first year of life which adds to the growing evidence for the beneficial development of the gut microbiota and the immune system in infancy.

The results of a study conducted by Prof. Decsi and Lohner (University of Pécs, Department of Paediatrics in Hungary) demonstrate that prebiotic chicory root fiber intake selectively increases beneficial bifidobacteria in children 3 to 6 years of age. Even under antibiotic treatment, their microbiota is more stable and balanced. This study is the first of its kind to provide an in-depth investigation into the effect of prebiotic chicory root fiber supplementation on the gut microbiota composition in kindergarten children, including those on antibiotic treatment. The complete study can be seen here. The results of this study build on a previous publication which demonstrated significantly reduced fever episodes and sinusitis cases resulting from prebiotic chicory root fiber supplementation in these young children.

A study published by Prof. Decsi and Lohner (University of Pécs, Department of Paediatrics, Hungary) investigated the supplementation with prebiotic chicory root fibers in kindergarten children aged 3 to 6 years. A daily dosage of 6 g of chicory root fiber was given over 6 months, demonstrating various health benefits. As well as having a positive influence on the gut microbiota composition and stool frequency the children receiving the prebiotic supplementation also experienced fewer incidents of fever and sinusitis. This research highlights that, even in this age group, the immune system can be strengthened with chicory root fibers. Click here to read the full study.

Many US citizens suffer from constipation as a result of a low fiber intake. The study by Prof. Buddington (University of Tennessee Health Sciences Center), revealed that a well-tolerated daily supplementation of 15 g oligofructose supports well-being by significantly increasing the stool frequency per week, within the normal range. Only about half of the North American population consumes the recommended dietary fiber amount. Oligofructose can help to bridge this fiber gap. For individuals with a low fiber intake, the study confirmed that oligofructose supplementation improves bowel regularity and contributes to well-being. Click here for the full study.