New Frontiers in Fibers: Innovative and Emerging Research on the Gut Microbiome and Bone Health

Soluble Fiber Use in Pediatric Short Bowel Syndrome: A Survey on Prevailing Practices

“…Carvalho et al performed a controlled study in rats that showed improvement of iron deficiency on a diet containing soluble fiber. Prebiotic fibers, as previously mentioned, have been shown to improve calcium absorption in both humans and rats, including a study showing increased calcium absorption in pubertal adolescents following soluble fiber diet . While these studies were performed in subjects without intestinal pathology, it opens doors for further research involving children with intestinal failure.…”

A Brief Overview and Comparison of Global Fiber Regulations

“…As they are more broadly used in the food supply, current and new fiber ingredients will help to decrease the fiber gap in consumer diets. As the science is reviewed by the FDA, there will be increased awareness of the many benefits that dietary fibers can offer, renewed interest in finding areas of health benefits, and increasing information on the benefits derived from fermentation of dietary fibers (7,16).…”

Gut Microbiota, Immune System, and Bone

“…It is well known that maintaining a positive calcium balance is important in achieving a good peak of bone mass that protects from the development of osteoporosis in older age [81,82]. Dietary intake of fibers influences calcium absorption, after being fermented by GM, fibers improve calcium absorption by reduction of gut pH, thus reducing the formation of calcium phosphates and increasing the calcium absorption and by increasing the production of SCFAs as butyrate [83]. The effect of SCFAs may be more complex that the effect on gut pH and in fact it has been demonstrated that SCFAs increase calcium transport trough signaling pathway modulation [84].As previously said SCFAs influence bone health also trough immune system modulation, hence dietary fibers intake may be responsible for an healthier immune system and reduced inflammation, in fact there is a general consensus recognizing that an adequate dietary fiber intake is associated with lower risk of chronic diseases as cardiovascular diseases [85].…”