Effects of dietary components on intestinal short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) synthesis in healthy adult persons following a ketogenic diet

Abstract

Background. The ketogenic diet (KD) has been used for almost 100 years in the treatment of drug-resistant epilepsy in children - and adults. The intestinal microbiome has a climax character, and the main factor changing its composition and functions is the diet. Both increased biodiversity and the production of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) are important indicators of gut barrier function. SCFAs are synthesized by microorganisms through the fermentation of dietary fibre provided with the diet. They are an important element in signal transduction from the digestive system to other tissues. To date, there is little research to determine how the use of KD alters the SCFAs profile of the human stool. Objective. To assess the SCFAs profile in the stool of healthy and active KD users. Material and methods. Study group: amateur athletes following KD. Control group: amateur athletes following a regular diet (carbohydrates min. 50%); gender: men and women aged 18-60. Material: stool sample (1x10 g). SCFAs content was determined in stool samples using gas chromtography method. Participants completed a Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ) and a 72-hour food diary. Results. There research has shown differences in the amount of SCFAs, as far as the results obtained from the two groups are concerned. The discrepancies referred to the levels of acetic, butyric, iso-butyric, valeric, and isovaleric acids. Spearman's rank correlation analysis showed a strong relationship between the consumption of selected dietary components (vegetables, fruits, red meat, poultry, fish, nuts and seeds, sugar, sugar substitutes, fats) and the SCFAs content in the stool of the study group. Conclusions. High consumption of cruciferous and leaf vegetables, berries and nuts on a ketogenic diet may have a positive effect on the profile of short-chain fatty acids produced by the gut microbiome. Changing the diet towards a greater supply of plant products may prevent proteolytic fermentation and reduce the negative effects of microbiome changes caused by an oversupply of protein and fat in the ketogenic diet.

Identification and Characterization of a Potential Probiotic, Clostridium butyricum G13, Isolated from the Intestine of the Mud Crab (Scylla paramamosain)

“…Recently, probiotics that produce butyrate have been widely used in aquaculture ( 36 ). Microbial community composition and metabolism are significantly related to the content and composition of SCFAs in the intestine, especially butyric acid ( 37 – 39 ). C. butyricum produces butyric acid, which can improve the balance of the host intestinal flora and reduce the probability of intestinal infection with pathogenic bacteria ( 40 ).…”

Short-chain Fatty Acids and Human Health: from Metabolic Pathways to Current Therapeutic Implication

“…While specific studies indicated notable rises in total SCFAs after dietary fiber intervention, others observed no significant alterations, indicating that the influence of nutritional fibers on SCFA levels may be influenced by variables such as dosage, fiber type, and baseline gut microbiota composition [391,392]. To analyze the potential mechanisms of the role of the ketogenic diet in epilepsy, a recent study by Gudan et al examined the impact of this on the synthesis of intestinal SCFAs in healthy adults [393]. The analysis highlighted that cruciferous and leaf vegetables, berries, and nuts consumption on a ketogenic diet have been linked to a positive impact on the profile of SCFAs.…”

Short-Chain Fatty Acids and Human Health: From Metabolic Pathways to Current Therapeutic Implications

“…While specific studies indicated notable rises in total SCFAs after dietary fiber intervention, others observed no significant alterations, indicating that the influence of nutritional fibers on SCFAs levels may be affected by variables such as dosage, fiber type, and baseline gut microbiota composition [375,376]. To analyze the potential mechanisms of the role of the ketogenic diet in epilepsy, a recent study by Gudan et al, examined the impact of this on the synthesis of intestinal SCFAs in healthy adults [377]. The analysis highlighted that cruciferous and leaf vegetables, berries, and nuts consumption on a ketogenic diet have been linked to a positive impact on the profile of SCFAs.…”