Fiber helps protect you from obesity!
Researchers found that adding inulin fiber to the diet of mice prevented metabolic syndrome caused by a high-fat diet.
In a new study, researchers found that adding fiber inulin to the diet of mice effectively prevented metabolic syndrome caused by a high-fat diet. They specifically identified how this occurs in the body. Metabolic syndrome is a group of conditions closely related to obesity. They include increased blood pressure, high blood sugar levels, excess body fat around the waist, and abnormal cholesterol or triglyceride levels. When these conditions occur together, they increase a person’s risk for heart disease, stroke, and diabetes.
Gut microbiota
Obesity and metabolic syndrome are associated with alterations in the intestinal microbiota. The population of microorganisms that live in the intestine. Modern changes in eating habits are thought to contribute to increased chronic inflammation. In particular the consumption of processed foods that lack fiber. Including metabolic syndrome. Studies have found that a high-fat diet destroys the gut microbiota. It also reduces the production of epithelial cells that line the intestine, among other things. This study found that the fermentable fiber inulin restored intestinal health and protected mice against metabolic syndrome induced by a high-fat diet, balancing gut microbiota levels, increasing intestinal epithelial cell production, and restoring interleukin-22 (IL-22) protein expression. Which prevented the intestinal microbiota from invading the epithelial cells. The findings are published in the journal Cell Host & Microbe. For four weeks, the researchers fed mice a grain-based rodent chow, a high-fat diet (high-fat and low-fiber with 5 percent cellulose as a fiber source), or a high-fat diet supplemented with fiber (fermentable inulin fiber or insoluble cellulose fiber).
Supplemented diet
They found that a diet supplemented with inulin reduced weight gain and markedly reduced obesity induced by a high-fat diet. Dietary enrichment with inulin also markedly reduced cholesterol levels. It also prevented dysglycemia (abnormal blood sugar levels). The researchers found that fiber only moderately reduced obesity and dysglycemia. By supplementing the high-fat diet with inulin, the intestinal microbiota is restored. However, inulin did not restore microbiota levels. A clear difference in microbiota levels remained between the mice. Additionally, the researchers found that switching mice from a grain-based diet to a high-fat diet resulted in a loss of colon mass. Which they believe contributes to low-grade inflammation and metabolic syndrome. When they switched the diet mice, the colon mass was completely restored. As always, more studies are necessary, but one thing is clear. Recommending our patients to integrate fiber into their food is something we have to do.
