Category Archives: FOS

FOS-Inulin Mix Increases Osteocalcin in Women

Abstract

Effects of oligofructose-enriched inulin on intestinal absorption of calcium and magnesium and bone turnover markers in postmenopausal women.

Deficiency of oestrogen at menopause decreases intestinal Ca absorption, contributing to a negative Ca balance and bone loss. Mg deficiency has also been associated with bone loss. The purpose of the present investigation was to test the hypothesis that treatment with a spray-dried mixture of chicory oligofructose and long-chain inulin (Synergy1; SYN1) would increase the absorption of both Ca and Mg and alter markers of bone turnover. Fifteen postmenopausal women (72.2 (SD 6.4) years) were treated with SYN1 or placebo for 6 weeks using a double-blind, placebo-controlled, cross-over design. Fractional Ca and Mg absorption were measured using dual-tracer stable isotopes before and after treatment. Bone turnover markers were measured at baseline, 3 and 6 weeks. Fractional absorption of Ca and Mg increased following SYN1 compared with placebo (P < 0.05). Bone resorption (by urinary deoxypyridinoline cross-links) was greater than baseline at 6 weeks of active treatment (P < 0.05). Bone formation (by serum osteocalcin) showed an upward trend at 3 weeks and an increase following 6 weeks of SYN1 (P < 0.05). Closer examination revealed a variation in response, with two-thirds of the subjects showing increased absorption with SYN1. Post hoc analyses demonstrated that positive responders had significantly lower lumbar spine bone mineral density than non-responders (dual X-ray absorptiometry 0.887 +/- 0.102 v. 1.104 +/- 0.121 g/cm2; P < 0.01), and changes in bone turnover markers occurred only in responders. These results suggest that 6 weeks of SYN1 can improve mineral absorption and impact markers of bone turnover in postmenopausal women. Further research is needed to determine why a greater response was found in women with lower initial spine bone mineral density.

Holloway L, Moynihan S, Abrams SA, Kent K…
Br. J. Nutr. Feb 2007
PMID: 17298707

Review: FOS Preventive Effects on Bone [Japanese]

Abstract

Prevention of osteoporosis by foods and dietary supplements. The effect of fructooligosaccharides (FOS) on the calcium absorption and bone.

Fructooligosaccharides (FOS) are well known as prebiotics which improve intestinal microflaura. FOS also have increasing effect on the intestinal absorption of calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg) and iron. These effects were inspected by many animal experiments and then by human studies. Especially, FOS clearly prevent the decrease of bone mineral density by gastrectomy in rats. In this report, we mainly explain the preventive effect of FOS on the bone of gastrectomized rats and introduce relationship between another food ingredient or exercise.

Ohta A
Clin Calcium Oct 2006
PMID: 17012821

FOS + Soy Effects Additive For Some Parameters in Rats

Abstract

The effects of fructo-oligosaccharides in combination with soy protein on bone in osteopenic ovariectomized rats.

The intestinal microflora is important in rendering soy isoflavones bioavailable by facilitating their conversion to equol. Hence, substances that can modulate the intestinal microflora could affect the bioavailability of isoflavones. In this study, we examined the effects of fructo-oligosaccharides (FOS), a prebiotic, on enhancing the effects of soy isoflavones on bone in ovariectomized osteopenic female rats.
Sixty-three 9-month-old female Sprague-Dawley rats were either sham-operated (Sham; one group) or ovariectomized (Ovx; four groups) and were fed a control diet for 3 months to induce bone loss. After bone loss was confirmed via dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry, rats were placed on dietary treatment for 4 months. The Sham and one Ovx group received a control diet, and the remaining Ovx groups received either a soy protein-based diet (Soy), a FOS-supplemented diet (FOS), or a soy protein-based and FOS-supplemented diet (Soy+FOS). Before the termination of the study, whole-body bone mineral density (BMD) and bone mineral content (BMC) were assessed under anesthesia. Immediately after euthanasia, bone specimens were collected for the assessments of BMD, BMC, and biomechanical and microarchitectural properties.
Whole-body BMD values were significantly higher in FOS and Soy+FOS groups compared with Ovx controls. The tibial BMC increased by 10%, 6%, and 4% in Soy, FOS, and Soy+FOS groups, respectively, compared to the Ovx control group. FOS and FOS+Soy treatments had the most pronounced effects in enhancing lumbar BMC and BMD. The FOS+Soy combination effectively improved tibial microarchitectural properties by enhancing trabecular number and lowering trabecular separation compared with Ovx controls. The effects of dietary treatments on lumbar microarchitectural properties were minimal and biomechanical properties of the femur were not affected by any of the dietary treatments.
Our findings suggest that, although incorporation of either soy or FOS in the diet of Ovx rats can improve BMD of the whole body, tibiae, and lumbar vertebrae, their combination had no any additive effects. However, in terms of microarchitecture, the combination of soy and FOS had a greater effect in reversing the loss of certain microarchitectural parameters such as tibial trabecular number, separation, and thickness.

Devareddy L, Khalil DA, Korlagunta K, Hooshmand S…
Menopause
PMID: 16837891

Review: Prebiotics in Adolescents

Abstract

A prebiotic substance persistently enhances intestinal calcium absorption and increases bone mineralization in young adolescents.

A number of short-term (9 days to 5 weeks) studies have reported that non-digestible. oligosaccharides enhance intestinal calcium absorption. Recent interesting data from an intervention trial in adolescents (9-13 years of age) suggest that a non-digestible oligosaccharide can persistently stimulate calcium absorption over 12 months and can also enhance bone mineralization during pubertal growth.

Cashman KD
Nutr. Rev. Apr 2006
PMID: 16673754

FOS Helps Dentin Formation in Rats

Abstract

Fructooligosaccharide consumption improves the decreased dentin formation and mandibular defects following gastrectomy in rats.

We examined the effects of fructooligosaccharides (FOS) consumption on gastrectomy-evoked osteopenia and disorders of dentin formation in rats.
Male Sprague-Dawley rats (n = 28, 35-day old) were equally divided into two groups; sham-operated and gastrectomized, and sham-operation or total gastrectomy was performed. Four weeks after each surgery, the rats were divided into two sub-groups (n = 7 each); with or without 7.5% FOS-feeding for 6 weeks. Backscattered electron images of the mandibular sections were taken to calculate trabecular bone area, cortical bone area and total scan area. Thereafter, the dentin formation rate in maxilla were calculated using a fluorescent microscope.
Trabecular bone area and cortical bone area in GX rats were markedly decreased. FOS-feeding significantly counteracted this reduction, but not to the level seen in sham-operated rats. Total scan area in gastrectomized groups was significantly decreased. The dentin formation rate was not statistically different among the groups, except the gastrectomized group.
These results suggest that FOS consumption partially restored osteopenia and almost completely restored the reduction in dentin formation following gastrectomy in rats.

Morohashi T, Sano T, Sakai N, Yamada S
Oral Dis Nov 2005
PMID: 16269026

Review: Inulin and FOS Mechanisms

Abstract

Inulin, oligofructose and bone health: experimental approaches and mechanisms.

Inulin-type fructans have been proposed to benefit mineral retention, thereby enhancing bone health. Many, but not all, experimental animal studies have shown increased mineral absorption by feeding non-digestible oligosaccharides. Possible reasons for inconsistencies are explored. A few studies have reported an enhanced bone mineral density or content. Bone health can be evaluated in chronic feeding studies with bone densitometry, bone breaking strength, bone mineral concentration and bone structure. Isotopic Ca tracers can be used to determine the point of metabolism affected by feeding a functional food ingredient. These methods and the effects of feeding inulin-type fructose are reviewed. Inulin-type fructans enhance Mg retention. Chicory long-chain inulin and oligofructose enhance femoral Ca content, bone mineral density and Ca retention through enhanced Ca absorption and suppressed bone turnover rates, but it is not bone-promoting under all conditions.

Weaver CM
Br. J. Nutr. Apr 2005
PMID: 15877902

FOS Increases Efficiency of Isoflavones in Rats

Abstract

Fructooligosaccharides maximize bone-sparing effects of soy isoflavone-enriched diet in the ovariectomized rat.

Isoflavones (IF) have been increasingly implicated for use in the prevention of osteoporosis. As their bioavailability could be improved by modulating intestinal microflora, the present study was undertaken to investigate whether IF and fructooligosaccharides (FOS), which are known to modify large-bowel flora and metabolism, may exhibit a cooperative bone-sparing effect. This work was carried out on 3-month-old Wistar rats assigned to 12 groups: 2 SH (sham-operated) and 10 OVX (ovariectomized). Animals received a diet for 90 days containing total IF (Prevastei HC, Central Soya) at 0 (OVX and SH), 10 (IF10), 20 (IF20), 40 (IF40), or 80 (IF80) microg/g body weight per day. FOS (Actilight, Beghin-Meiji) were orally given to half of the groups, (OVX FOS), (IF10 FOS), (IF20 FOS), (IF40 FOS), (IF80 FOS), and (SH FOS). Isoflavones exhibited a bone-sparing effect as soon as consumption reached 20 microg/g/day, whereas only the highest dose induced a weak uterotrophic activity. Indeed, total femoral bone mineral density (BMD) was significantly enhanced (compared with that of OVX rats), as was the metaphyseal compartment. Bone strength was improved as well. As far as the FOS diet is concerned, addition of prebiotics significantly raised the efficiency of the IF protective effect on both femoral BMD and mechanical properties. The trend toward higher BMD levels with the lowest IF dose (IF10) even reached a significant level when FOS were added. This effect could be explained by a reduced bone resorption. In conclusion, daily IF consumption prevented castration-induced osteopenia by decreasing bone resorption when given at 20, 40, or 80 microg (total isoflavones)/g/day. Simultaneous FOS consumption improved IF protective effect on the skeleton, with the lowest IF dose becoming efficient. Enhancement of IF bioavailability, following FOS fermentation, is probably involved.

Mathey J, Puel C, Kati-Coulibaly S, Bennetau-Pelissero C…
Calcif. Tissue Int. Aug 2004
PMID: 15164148

Review: Carbs, FOS and Inulin Beneficial for Bones

Abstract

Osteoporosis and intake of carbohydrates.

Adequate energy intake including carbohydrates is essential to maintain bone mass. Emaciation along with deficiency in nutrients, such as calcium, vitamin D, and protein is a significant risk factor for bone loss, and should be avoided.
However, there is no clinical evidence that shows the direct effects of carbohydrate on bone mass. On the other hand, excessive intake of carbohydrates results in obesity, which causes other metabolic diseases such as diabetes mellitus (DM). Therefore, dietary regimen must be balanced in general, and complications and conditions of individual patients should be taken well into account. In addition, energy intake is a basis for adequate exercise in order to maintain physical activity and ideal body weight, which will further decrease the risk of bone fracture. Some indigestible carbohydrates, such as inulin and oligofructose, are shown to increase the availability of minerals from foods, and thus can be beneficial to bone mass.

Nakayama K, Katayama S
Clin Calcium Apr 2005
PMID: 15802784

FOS + Inulin Increase Calcium Absorption and Bone Parameters in Rats

Abstract

Nondigestible oligosaccharides increase calcium absorption and suppress bone resorption in ovariectomized rats.

Nondigestible oligosaccharides (NDO) including inulin and fructooligosaccharides (FOS) have been reported to stimulate calcium absorption. Here we report the effect of a mixture of inulin and FOS (Raftilose Synergy 1, Orafti) on calcium and bone metabolism in ovariectomized (OVX) rats. OVX rats (6 mo old) were fed a semipurified diet for 3 mo in our animal care laboratory for stabilization after ovariectomy. They were then divided into two groups (n = 13/group) and fed either a control or a NDO-supplemented diet (55 g/kg) for 21 d. Catheters were placed in their jugular veins. After 2 d, a tracer ((45)Ca) was administered by gavage or i.v. and blood was sampled for up to 300 min. Urine and fecal samples were collected for 4 d after (45)Ca administration. Femurs were measured for bone mineral density (BMD), breaking strength, and total calcium. Calcium absorption, femoral calcium content, BMD, and bone balance (V(bal)) were significantly increased (P < 0.05) by NDO, whereas the bone resorption rate relative to the bone formation rate was significantly depressed by NDO. We conclude that feeding NDO at 5.5 g/100 g for 21 d has a positive effect on calcium absorption and retention in ovariectomized rats.

Zafar TA, Weaver CM, Zhao Y, Martin BR…
J. Nutr. Feb 2004
PMID: 14747679 | Free Full Text

Note, unfortunately, there was no improvement in breaking strength.

Review: Adding Calcium, Magnesium, Vitamin D, Vitamin K, Inulin, Protein, and Phytoestrogens to Foods

Abstract

Biomarkers of bone health appropriate for evaluating functional foods designed to reduce risk of osteoporosis.

Osteoporosis is a growing global problem. The health care costs and decreased productivity and quality of life are staggering. Much research is invested in life-style approaches to build peak bone mass during growth to prevent osteoporosis as well as to treat the disease in later life. Functional foods have enjoyed a niche in bone health. Foods fortified with Ca are most popular. Other bone nutrients such as vitamin D, Mg and vitamin K are sometimes added. Future products are likely to include enhancers of Ca absorption such as inulin or whey proteins. Dietary factors that reduce urinary Ca loss (plant proteins) or suppress bone resorption (possibly phyto-oestrogens) are also gaining attention. Methodologies for evaluating the effectiveness of functional foods on bone health include measures of bone quality such as bone densitometry or measures of Ca metabolism, particularly absorption. Biochemical markers for bone turnover are less satisfactory for diet-related effects. Use of a rare isotope, 41Ca, and accelerator mass spectrometry offers a new approach for assessing the ability of functional foods to suppress bone resorption.

Weaver CM, Liebman M
Br. J. Nutr. Nov 2002
PMID: 12495464