Prebiotics may extend lifespan 30%

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Lifelong supplementation with the prebiotics inulin and oligofructose

may extend lifespan by over 30 per cent, based on results from rat

study.

" Prebiotic ingredients. . . .boost the growth of beneficial probiotic

bacteria in the gut. . . . "

" The underlying mechanisms are still unknown, but suggestions centre on

the beneficial alterations in the microbe populations in the large

intestine. . . . "

Inulin and oligofructose are defined/explained here:

http://jn.nutrition.org/cgi/content/full/129/7/1402S

LINK TO ARTICLE:

http://www.nutraingredients.com/news/ng.asp?n=84888 & c=NMXU1kQxIQrYXtTQ3B%2FMpA%3\

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FULL TEXT:

Lifelong prebiotic supplements may enhance survival: rat study

By ls

24/04/2008- Lifelong supplementation with the prebiotics inulin and

oligofructose may extend lifespan by over 30 per cent, according to a

new animal study from France.

Male and female rats fed the prebiotic-containing diet (Orafti

Synergy1) also had a lower body weight, cholesterol and plasma

triacylglycerolaemia compared to rats fed the control diet, researchers

ETAP - Applied Ethology and the Universite Henri Poincare I

report in the British Journal of Nutrition.

The study is reportedly the first time that increased survival rates of

both male and female rats have been demonstrated after life-long

supplementation with a prebiotic.

Repeating the study in humans may prove difficult however since

lifelong compliance to the supplements may prove troublesome, but the

news of benefits concerning body weight and blood lipid levels may have

significant potential in the fight against obesity and obesity-related

disorder.

The burgeoning prebiotic market has been largely created by three

inulin producers, all based in Europe. Other ingredient manufacturers

are increasingly looking to promote the prebiotic effect of their

products as evidence suggests that prebiotics could be even more useful

than the probiotic bacteria that they feed.

Prebiotic ingredients, or those that boost the growth of beneficial

probiotic bacteria in the gut, are worth about €90 million in the

European marketplace but are forecast to reach €179.7 million by 2010,

according to Frost & Sullivan.

Beneo-Orafti has been influential in building the science behind inulin

and oligofructose, backing research into potential benefits for a

variety of health conditions ranging from bones to colorectal cancer,

from immunity to satiety and weight management.

Study details

Lead researcher Pascale Prozan and co-workers took 60 female and 60

male three-month old rats and randomly assigned them to receive only

the control diet, or the control diet supplemented with 10 per cent

Synergy1 for 27 months. The animals were analysed with respect to their

sex. Animals were weighed every two weeks and food intake was

quantified on four successive days every four to six weeks.

The researchers note that throughout the entire study, males receiving

the prebiotic lower body weight, cholesterol and plasma

triacylglycerolaemia compared to the animals in the control group.

In terms of survival, at 18 months of age, all the animals in the

prebiotic group were still alive, compared to 76 per cent in the

control group. After 24 months, 81 per cent of the rats in the

prebiotic group were alive, compared to only 52 per cent of controls.

Similar results were observed in their female counterparts concerning

the lower body weight, cholesterol and triacylglycerolaemia levels in

animals fed the prebiotic-supplemented diet.

In terms of survival, at 18 months of age, all the animals in the

prebiotic group were still alive, compared to 95 per cent in the

control group. After 24 months, 43 per cent of the rats in the

prebiotic group were alive, compared to only 29 per cent of controls.

Mechanism of action

The underlying mechanisms are still unknown, but suggestions centre on

the beneficial alterations in the microbe populations in the large

intestine, thereby improving digestive health which is vital to

maintain overall health and well-being throughout life.

It has previously been reported that the microbial ecology of the

intestinal tract changes with age, with decreases in levels of

beneficial bifidobacteria and increases in potentially harmful

clostridia, streptococci and enterobacteria. Such changes may produce

complications such as constipation, and increase the risk of developing

diseases such as colitis or colon cancer.

Historical catalogue of benefits

Considerable research has already focussed on the role of inulin and

oligofructose in bone health and colorectal cancer, and the science is

now expanding in ever-increasing circles to cover potential benefits

for the immune system, weight management, and intestinal health.

Source: British Journal of Nutrition

Published online ahead of print, 11 Apr 2008, doi:

10.1017/S0007114508975607,

" Effects of lifelong intervention with an oligofructose-enriched inulin

in rats on general health and lifespan "

Authors: P. Rozan, A. Nejdi, S. Hidalgo, J.-F. Bisson, D. Desor, M. Messaoudi

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