PREBIOTIC CASE STUDY RESULTS & RATIONALE

Dr. Bill Misner PhD[1]

ABSTRACT

Endurance athletes periodically report a myriad of intestinal disorders related to the lack of both beneficial probiotic strains and prebiotics to regenerate healthy gut flora colonization. Coupled with American diets, chlorinated water, gastrointestinal exposure to antibiotics, or harmful bacteria from food chain, inadequate soluble and insoluble fiber, there is no wonder why gastrointestinal issues result from poor deficient microflora populations. A 69-year male endurance athlete & 56-year female non-athlete consumed a supplement containing 7-grams fiber with a prebiotic daily for 30-days to determine if "Prebiotin" had a positive effect on bowel health and reducing cholesterols. These subjects reported increased flatulence for the first 5-days that gradually subsided. Improved bowel movement and less flatulence occurred following 25-days dose with no negative side effects.  Subjects represent considerable differences, one, a male endurance athlete with healthy-low normal cholesterol levels and a female non-athlete with elevated cholesterol levels. The male endurance athlete followed a vegetarian diet lifestyle and he thought his cholesterol levels were as low as they could go. The sedentary female followed a mixed nutritional foods selected, some that cause elevated cholesterol and some from plant food fibers that reduce cholesterol. The female presents high cholesterol that should be decreased, while the male presents cholesterol levels that were less likely to be reduced by dietary alterations. Both subject's cholesterols were determined prior to consuming this "Prebiotin" prebiotic fiber daily for a 30-day trial period. The pre-test values are compared to the post-30 day trial values:

NECESSITY FOR BENEFICIAL BACTERIA BALANCE

Beneficial bacteria in the colon convert cholesterol to coprostanol for excretion, thereby lowering total serum cholesterol levels. Various species of beneficial bacteria (as well as various species of potentially detrimental bacteria) populate the colon.  The total number of species of bacteria in the colon is approximately 400.  It is estimated that bacteria account for 30-50% of the volume of the contents of the colon.  In the colon, beneficial bacteria ferment insoluble fiber, starch and undigested carbohydrates.  The short-chain saturated fatty acids produced by this fermentation are the principal source of energy for the epithelial cells of the colon. Beneficial flora reside in the intestines and may manufacture some vitamins such as Biotin, Choline, Folic Acid, Inositol, PABA (Para Aminobenzoic Acid), Vitamin B2, Vitamin B5, Vitamin B6, & Vitamin K. Beneficial bacteria in the large intestine cause fermentation of dietary carbohydrates (especially polysaccharides) that results in the production of volatile fatty acids including acetic acid, butyric acid and propionic acid. Beneficial bacteria balance has been proposed to prevent or resolve constipation, gastroenteritis, urinary tract infections (UTIs), irritable bowel syndrome, instestinal cramps, abdominal pain, ulcerative colitis, and flatulence. Beneficial bacteria enhance the general health of the digestive system and strengthen the immune system functions of the intestines. Beneficial bacteria produce hydrogen peroxide utilized by the body to “extinguish” neutralized antigen/antibody complexes in order to produce substances such as acetic acid, bacteriocins, lactic acid and hydrogen peroxide to counteract a detrimental bacteria and viruses. Without intestinal flora balance between good bacteria and detrimental flora, imbalances result that may inhibit both health and endurance performance...

GUT BACTERIAL IMBALANCES 

Excessive consumption of chlorine may destroy beneficial bacteria. Pharmaceutical antibiotics such as tetracycline (when ingested orally) may destroy the body's beneficial bacteria - as a side effect of their primary purpose of killing detrimental bacteria. Excessive quantities of detrimental bacteria within the digestive tract may "crowd out" beneficial bacteria.  Huis Veld [1991] reported, that a balanced and stable gastro-intestinal microflora is of vital importance for the optimum function of the gastro-intestinal tract and consequently for the health of man and animals. In addition it has a positive effect on nutrition (digestion, effects on physiology, production of vitamins).  Intestinal flora has a protective function (prevention of infection).   Changes in diet, stress, the use of antibiotics and excessive hygiene all bring about changes in the microbiological ecosystem and consequently negates compromise in health.  Recently, increasing attention is being paid to the development of methods to influence the composition of the gastro-intestinal microflora in man and animals by probiotics (dried cells or fermented food).[i] 

STRESS INCREASES HARMFUL BACTERIA

Kelly et al., [1999] examined the impact of high stress on intestinal microflora during the preparation for and participation in space flight.  During the preparation phase the authors found a distinct decrease in the numbers of Bifidobacterium and Lactobacilli, and a corresponding increase in the numbers of E. coli and of Enterobacteria.  These imbalances worsened until launch, illuminating the effect of nervous-emotional stress on altering the balance of beneficial and pathogenic organisms.  After the flight the number of potentially pathogenic Enterobacteria and Clostridia were also substantially increased, while the number of Lactobacilli was decreased, suggesting the physiological stress of space flight disrupted microflora balance.[ii]

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CARCINOGEN POTENTIAL

Moore et al., [1978] quantitative studies of the fecal flora of populations at different risk of colon cancer indicate that the relative proportions of some particular species of bacteria rather than of different genera of bacteria may be correlated with colon cancer incidence.  The bacteria in feces do reflect the flora of the large colon. The composition of the flora was not significantly affected by drastic changes in diet, but statistically significant shifts in the proportions of some species were noted in individuals under conditions of anger or fear stress.  Although diet may not change the flora the individual maintains, the bacteria present may convert the different substrates provided by a high-fat diet as opposed to a high-fiber diet into metabolites that are potentially carcinogenic.  The conversion of dietary components to carcinogenic compounds, identification of the bacteria capable of effecting such conversions, and the conditions favoring the proliferation of such bacteria will be investigated in greater detail.[iii]

INULIN-ENRICHED FRUCTOOLIGOSACCHARIDES [FOS]

Fructooligosaccharides are a group of (non-digestible) Oligosaccharides [FOS] composed of short-chain polymers of Fructose.  They are composed of one molecule of Sucrose and one to three molecules of Fructose. Fructooligosaccharides are produced either through fermentation by enzymes produced by the Fungus Aspergillus niger acting on Sucrose (the resulting product is known as Neosugar) or by the enzymatic hydrolysis of Inulin. FOS have been shown to produce the following gastrointestinal effects:

1. Resolve constipation (by stimulating healthy peristalsis)
2. Reduce the severity of crohn's disease[iv]
3. Improve Intestinal Permeability[v]
4. Enhances ability of the Immune System to counteract Antigens (by nourishing the Beneficial Bacteria that reside in the Gastrointestinal Tract).
5. Prevents (carcinogen-induced) Cancers (by reducing the activity of detrimental enzymes such as Ornithine Decarboxylase in the Colon).[vi]
6. Enhance the function of the Liver.[vii]
7. Lower serum Triglycerides levels by inhibiting the ability of the Liver to convert Fatty Acids into Triglycerides[viii]
8. Increase the intestinal secretion of IgA.[ix]
9. Improve the endogenous production of Butyric Acid in the Large Intestine by nourishing Beneficial Bacteria in the Intestines, which produced Butyric Acid)[x]
10. Nourish most types of Beneficial Bacteria (because Beneficial Bacteria are living organisms they require nutrition like any living organism).[xi] [xii]
11. Prebiotic-FOS DOES NOT nourish Detrimental Bacteria but DOES increase production of Bifidobacteria per day can increase the number of Bifidobacteria by up to 10-fold via 1-4 grams of FOS] Prebiotic FOS increases production of Lactobacillus bacteria (1-4 grams per day of supplemental FOS can increase the number of Lactobacillus by up to ten-fold).[xiii]
12. Increases the absorption of calcium.[xiv] 
13. Increase the absorption of Magnesium by up to 12%.[xv]  

OAT BRAN

Oat Bran, Avena sativa, is the outer husk of oat grains. Oat Bran is not only the highest dietary source of insoluble fiber, but it is balanced 50% soluble to 50% insoluble fiber by analysis, presenting all the benefits from both forms of fiber in one unit.

Oat bran's benefits in human health are reported to:

1. Lower Blood Pressure in Hypertension patients.[xvi]
2. Reduce Intestinal Permeability (by increasing the production of Short-Chain Saturated Fatty Acids such as Butyric Acid, Acetic Acid and Propionic Acid which nourish the Intestinal Mucosa of the Intestinal Wall).[xvii]
3. Lower total serum Cholesterol levels, increase HDL Cholesterol levels, & decrease LDL Cholesterol levels.[xviii]
4. Prevent Diabetes Mellitus Type 2 & reduce Insulin Resistance.[xix]
5. Increases the production of Acetic Acid in the Intestines (especially in the Colon).  This effect may occur from Beneficial Bacteria in the Intestines fermenting the Carbohydrates content of Oat Bran.[xx] 
6. Improves excretion of Bile Acids via the feces.[xxi]

PSYLLIUM

Psyllium is a type of Hemicellulose Mucilage - a mixed Polysaccharide composed of a Xylan backbone linked with Xylose, Arabinose, Galacturonic Acid and Rhamnose.  

The potential health benefits from psyllium as a prebiotic bowel health supplement are:

1. Stool softening, causing the passing of stools to be less painful.[xxii]
2. Inhibits the ability of excessive sodium to cause hypertension (by reducing the absorption of dietary sodium).[xxiii]
3. Increases excretion of bile acids.[xxiv]
4. Resolves constipation.[xxv]
5. Resolves diarrhea by absorbing water as it passes through the intestines.[xxvi]
6. Treats Crohn's disease.[xxvii] 
7. Prevents or reduces the discomfort associated with diverticular disease.[xxviii]
8. Prevents or treats Dysentery (when it is caused by entamoeba infection).[xxix]
9. Prevents Gallstones.[xxx]
10. Reduces the symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome.[xxxi]
11. Maintains remission in Ulcerative Colitis patients.[xxxii]
12. May prevent Breast Cancer & Colon Cancer.[xxxiii]
13. Resolves diarrhea caused by detrimental bacteria Escherichia coli.[xxxiv]
14. Reduces total serum cholesterol levels by up to 15%, increases HDL cholesterol levels, decreases LDL cholesterol levels by up to 20%.[xxxv]
15. Lowers blood sugar (glucose) levels in Diabetes Mellitus Type 2 patients.[xxxvi]
16. Weight loss by delaying the emptying of the stomach, psyllium may suppress the appetite, leading to decreased food consumption and weight loss).[xxxvii]
17. Lowers elevated serum Triglycerides levels.[xxxviii]
18. Suppreses appetite (by delaying the emptying of the stomach).[xxxix]
19. Increases the activity of Cholesterol 7-Alpha-Monooxygenase.[xl]
20. Psyllium may increase the production of Adiponectin.[xli]
21. Increases production of Short-Chain Saturated Fatty Acids (SCFA: Acetic Acid, Butyric Acid, Propionic Acid) in the intestines (especially in the colon).  This effect occurs as a result of the action of Beneficial Bacteria in the Intestines fermenting Psyllium.[xlii] 
22. Inhibits the absorption of dietary sodium and may thereby inhibit the ability of sodium to cause hypertension.[xliii] [xliv]

CONCLUSION

Two subjects one with low-normal healthy cholesterol and one with elevated cholesterol taking “Prebiotin” probiotic-fiber supplement daily significantly lowered cholesterol levels both unexpectedly -6% and -22% respectively in only 30 days time.

DISCLOSURE STATEMENT

The author declares no competing interests past, present, or future from sales of this product, Prebiotin. The product selected for this case study trial was supplied courtesy of the manufacturer, Jackson GI Medical, 200 Grandview Ave., Camp Hill, PA 17011, 888-320-5030.

All content copyright 2010 by Dr. Bill Misner, PhD.  All Rights Reserved.

Used by Jackson GI Medical Co. with kind permission of Dr. Misner.