Posted on 05/06/2024 1:42:50 PM PDT by ConservativeMind
Inulin, a type of fiber found in certain plant-based foods and fiber supplements, causes inflammation in the gut and exacerbates inflammatory bowel disease in a preclinical model, according to a study.
The study shows that inulin, which is found in foods such as garlic, leeks and sunchoke, as well as commonly used fiber supplements and foods with added fiber, stimulates microbes in the gut to release bile acids that increase the production of molecules that promote intestinal inflammation.
Feeding inulin to mice in the context of a model of inflammatory bowel disease increased the production of certain bile acids by specific groups of gut bacteria. The increased bile acids boosted the production of an inflammatory protein called IL-5 by ILC2s. The ILC2s also failed to produce a tissue-protecting protein called amphiregulin.
In response to these changes, the immune system promotes the production of immune cells called eosinophils, which further ramp up inflammation and tissue damage. Previously, a 2022 study by the same team of investigators showed that this flood of eosinophils may help protect against parasite infections. However, in the inflammatory bowel disease model, this chain reaction exacerbated intestinal inflammation, weight loss and other symptoms like diarrhea.
In translational patient-based studies, the team also analyzed human tissue, blood and stool sample. This analysis revealed that patients with inflammatory bowel disease, like the mice fed inulin, had higher levels of bile acids in their blood and stool and excessive levels of eosinophils in their intestine compared with people without the condition.
The results suggest that the inflammation cascade similar to that in the mice fed inulin is already primed in humans with inflammatory bowel disease.
(Excerpt) Read more at medicalxpress.com ...
Other studies on inulin, with people not having IBD, have shown it can be helpful, but also that it could be a possible concern for some, according to a prior study I posted some time back that pointed to limiting inulin to around 20 grams a day.
As a life-long garlic hater, I am not surprised by this.
Human beings were not designed to eat grains. We are omnivores, yes, but our teeth and digestive systems are designed for protein and fat optimization. Inulin and other fibers are not digestible despite everything we’ve been told.
So much for that plant based imitation meat.
I take high grade turmeric/cumin 1k milligrams a day but not for ibs.
It’s highly anti- inflammatory.
I have seen and met people who do the carnivore diet. They all looked healthy.
You are going to have to take my bread and pasta from my cold dead hands.
I have seen and met people who do the carnivore diet. They all looked healthy.
You are going to have to take my bread and pasta from my cold dead hands.
That’s very interesting because the natural health community advocates for that to help heal the gut.
Per Claude.ai:
Several products contain inulin as an ingredient. Some common examples include:
Fiber supplements:
Metamucil Fiber Supplement
Benefiber Prebiotic Fiber Supplement
NOW Foods Organic Inulin Powder
Renew Life Organic Clear Fiber
Protein bars:
Quest Protein Bars
ONE Protein Bars
ThinkThin Protein & Fiber Bars
Atkins Protein Meal Bars
Yogurts:
Chobani Less Sugar Greek Yogurt
Siggi’s Icelandic Style Skyr
Stonyfield Organic Greek Yogurt
Cereals and granolas:
Kellogg’s All-Bran Buds
Fiber One Original Bran Cereal
KIND Healthy Grains Clusters
Nature’s Path Organic Smart Bran Cereal
Snacks:
Fiber One Brownies
Fiber Gourmet Crackers
GoodBelly Probiotics Peanut Butter Crunch Bar
Breads and baked goods:
Dave’s Killer Bread PowerSeed
Rudi’s Organic Bakery 7 Grain with Flax Bread
Thomas’ 100% Whole Wheat English Muffins
Plant-based milks:
Califia Farms Oat Milk
Silk Almond & Cashew Protein Nutmilk
Elmhurst 1925 Milked Oats
Ice creams and frozen yogurts:
Halo Top Chocolate Ice Cream
So Delicious Dairy Free Coconut Milk Frozen Dessert
Yasso Frozen Greek Yogurt Bars
Note that this list is not exhaustive, and inulin can be found in many other products as well. Always check the ingredients list on the product packaging to confirm the presence of inulin.
My GI doc recently suggested Benefiber for regularity. I haven’t gotten it yet, but when I do, I will start out slow.
I wonder how much inulin triggers a flare. I imagine it might vary from person to person. I love my garlic, and I’m not quite ready to give it up just yet. I’m also on two different immunosuppressants, one for my transplant and Entyvio for my
IBD. He also suggested Benefiber for constipation. I’ll start out slow with that stuff. Good info to know. Thanks.
It’s also interesting that you posted some non-dairy “milks”. It’s ironic that they could possibly exacerbate IBD by virtue of have inulin in them. Some of us drink non dairy milk because we’re lactose intolerant. I can tolerate lactose free cow’s milk myself.
I believe the many other fiber forms are considered fine.
>>>Human beings were not designed to eat grains. We are omnivores, yes, but our teeth and digestive systems are designed for protein and fat optimization. Inulin and other fibers are not digestible despite everything we’ve been told.>>>>
I think I’ll go with the actual designer of the human being and his original diet.
Genesis 1: 29 and 30:
Then God said, “I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food. 30 And to all the beasts of the earth and all the birds in the sky and all the creatures that move along the ground—everything that has the breath of life in it—I give every green plant for food.” And it was so.
For constipation, I’ve read that psyllium is our best bet, but it is not thought to help make short chain fatty acids, of consequence.
It does reduce cholesterol, blood sugar, and keep us regular, though. However, you still need those other fibers for those short chain fatty acids that can help so much, produced by gut bacteria.
I’m gonna look at psyllium, thanks.
I meant the inulin, not just fiber.
God provided grain as well, and is an advocate for bread, which I doubt very much was made with refined white flour.
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