Fiber

Soluble Fiber

Soluble Fiber supports:

Healthy neurotransmitter activity
Gut & digestive health
Healthy inflammatory response

Soluble Fiber on Axolt’s brain health pyramid

Strong Glial Cells
Healthy Gut

Introduction to Fiber

Fiber is an important nutrient that supports the growth of beneficial gut bacteria (1). That’s why Axolt contains more than 10% of the daily suggested intake of fiber (2). Axolt specifically uses GoFos, a blend of fructo-oligosaccharides (FOS), a type of prebiotic fiber. FOS are naturally found in foods like asparagus, artichokes, and onions (https://www.galamgroup.com/fructo-oligosaccharide). FOS are indigestible fibers that are fermented by gut bacteria, stimulating their growth and activity (3).

Role in Overall Health

Fermentation of FOS by gut bacteria produces Short Chain Fatty Acids (SCFA) such as butyrate, acetate, and propionate, which are involved in processes that support gut health and contribute to the connection between the gut and brain (4). Butyrate supports neuronal and glial cell health (6). It is associated with processes involved in neurogenesis, synaptic plasticity, and the maintenance of the blood-brain barrier's natural function (7, 8).

Axolt Formulation Principles

At Axolt, we prioritize ingredients naturally found in food. Fructo-oligosaccharides (FOS), a type of prebiotic fiber, occur naturally in foods like asparagus, artichokes, leeks, chickpeas, and onions. Our GoFOS blend combines three molecular forms (GF2, GF3, and GF4) to support gut bacteria over time. Shorter chains like GF2 are fermented quickly, while longer chains (GF3 and GF4) provide sustained nourishment. Another principle at Axolt is leveraging the synergy of ingredients. Polyphenols, plant-based compounds, serve as a second layer of support for a healthy gut, working alongside FOS to promote overall gut health.

Core Benefits and Claims

Synthesis of neurotransmitters: Beneficial bacteria supported by FOS produce metabolites that are associated with the gut-brain axis and play a role in supporting normal neurotransmitter activity, including serotonin, dopamine, and GABA (9).
Support for gut barrier function: FOS promotes the health of the gut barrier, supporting normal intestinal function and contributing to overall digestive health (4).
Postbiotics production (metabolites): Postbiotics such as butyrate, acetate, and propionate are naturally produced by gut bacteria during fiber fermentation. Supporting gut health with dietary fiber helps nourish beneficial bacteria and promotes the natural production of these important metabolites (https://www.galamgroup.com/fructo-oligosaccharide).
Balanced inflammatory response: FOS supports the body’s ability to maintain a healthy inflammatory response by nourishing gut bacteria (3).
Integrity of the blood-brain barrier (BBB): Fiber supports gut health and its connection to overall health. The metabolites and mechanisms produced during FOS fermentation are associated with supporting the integrity of the BBB as part of maintaining normal brain function (10).

Resources

Berding K, Carbia C, Cryan JF. Going with the grain: Fiber, cognition, and the microbiota-gut-brain-axis. Exp Biol Med (Maywood). 2021 Apr;246(7):796-811. doi: 10.1177/1535370221995785. Epub 2021 Feb 28. PMID: 33641478; PMCID: PMC8719029.
Stephen AM, Champ MM, Cloran SJ, Fleith M, van Lieshout L, Mejborn H, Burley VJ. Dietary fibre in Europe: current state of knowledge on definitions, sources, recommendations, intakes and relationships to health. Nutr Res Rev. 2017 Dec;30(2):149-190. doi: 10.1017/S095442241700004X. Epub 2017 Jul 5. PMID: 28676135.
Zhou S, Zhu W, Qin X, Li S, Chu W. Synthesis and Evaluation of Antioxidant and Potential Prebiotic Activities of Acetylated and Butyrylated Fructo-Oligosaccharides. Antioxidants (Basel). 2022 Aug 26;11(9):1658. doi: 10.3390/antiox11091658. PMID: 36139732; PMCID: PMC9495569.
Cronin P, Joyce SA, O'Toole PW, O'Connor EM. Dietary Fibre Modulates the Gut Microbiota. Nutrients. 2021 May 13;13(5):1655. doi: 10.3390/nu13051655. PMID: 34068353; PMCID: PMC8153313.
Cavaliere G, Catapano A, Trinchese G, Cimmino F, Penna E, Pizzella A, Cristiano C, Lama A, Crispino M, Mollica MP. Butyrate Improves Neuroinflammation and Mitochondrial Impairment in Cerebral Cortex and Synaptic Fraction in an Animal Model of Diet-Induced Obesity. Antioxidants (Basel). 2022 Dec 20;12(1):4. doi: 10.3390/antiox12010004. PMID: 36670866; PMCID: PMC9854835.
Mishra SP, Jain S, Wang B, Wang S, Miller BC, Lee JY, Borlongan CV, Jiang L, Pollak J, Taraphder S, Layden BT, Rane SG, Yadav H. Abnormalities in microbiota/butyrate/FFAR3 signaling in aging gut impair brain function. JCI Insight. 2024 Feb 8;9(3):e168443. doi: 10.1172/jci.insight.168443. PMID: 38329121; PMCID: PMC10967378.
Val-Laillet D, Guérin S, Coquery N, Nogret I, Formal M, Romé V, Le Normand L, Meurice P, Randuineau G, Guilloteau P, Malbert CH, Parnet P, Lallès JP, Segain JP. Oral sodium butyrate impacts brain metabolism and hippocampal neurogenesis, with limited effects on gut anatomy and function in pigs. FASEB J. 2018 Apr;32(4):2160-2171. doi: 10.1096/fj.201700547RR. Epub 2018 Jan 5. PMID: 29242276.
Chakraborty P, Gamage HKAH, Laird AS. Butyrate as a potential therapeutic agent for neurodegenerative disorders. Neurochem Int. 2024 Jun;176:105745. doi: 10.1016/j.neuint.2024.105745. Epub 2024 Apr 18. PMID: 38641025.
Chen Y, Xu J, Chen Y. Regulation of Neurotransmitters by the Gut Microbiota and Effects on Cognition in Neurological Disorders. Nutrients. 2021 Jun 19;13(6):2099. doi: 10.3390/nu13062099. PMID: 34205336; PMCID: PMC8234057.
Fock E, Parnova R. Mechanisms of Blood-Brain Barrier Protection by Microbiota-Derived Short-Chain Fatty Acids. Cells. 2023 Feb 18;12(4):657. doi: 10.3390/cells12040657. PMID: 36831324; PMCID: PMC9954192.