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A brand new UC Irvine research might have lastly uncovered how dietary fiber protects the physique from sugar’s harm, and the way defending your self begins within the intestine.
Researchers on the UCI Faculty of Medication discovered that inulin, a naturally occurring fiber present in greens like onions, garlic and artichokes, can reshape the micro organism residing in your gut to cease fructose earlier than it hits your liver.
“We discovered that consuming a kind of dietary fiber referred to as inulin… modifications the micro organism within the intestine to advertise the consumption of dangerous dietary fructose,” mentioned lead researcher Cholsoon Jang, PhD, of UCI’s Nutrient Metabolism & Illness Lab.
The findings, printed in Nature Metabolism, reveal a brand new stage of safety offered by fiber, not simply in digestion, however in how the physique handles sugar on the molecular stage.
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Scientists say fiber might assist stop or reverse early indicators of fatty liver illness. (iStock)
Jang and his group found that when folks eat fructose (a typical sugar in fruit and sweetened meals) intestine micro organism within the small gut can metabolize it earlier than it reaches the liver. However with out sufficient fiber, an excessive amount of fructose “spills over,” overwhelming the liver and triggering fats buildup.
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Fructose is a sugar present in fruit that may ‘spill’ into the liver, resulting in liver illness. (iStock)
By feeding gut bacteria with inulin, researchers discovered that the microbes basically burn by way of fructose early, stopping that cascade of injury.
Much more putting, as soon as these micro organism had been “primed” by inulin, they had been capable of reverse indicators of fatty liver illness, decreasing fats accumulation and boosting the liver’s pure antioxidants.
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Jang says the analysis proves not all energy are created equal.
He says their work provides “perception into how fiber protects our well being from dangerous vitamins like fructose.”
The Nature Metabolism research recognized how particular intestine micro organism metabolize sugar earlier than it reaches the liver. (iStock)
The research centered on non-obese members: individuals who may in any other case slip beneath the radar but nonetheless face hidden dangers from high-sugar diets.
Jang famous that metabolic harm isn’t restricted to those that are obese. Even individuals who seem wholesome can expertise liver stress and insulin resistance if their intestine microbes aren’t geared up to deal with extra fructose.
“By figuring out particular intestine micro organism and metabolic pathways concerned, our findings can information customized vitamin methods,” Jang mentioned.
Greens like garlic, artichokes and onions could be a good supply of inulin, the useful fiber studied by the analysis group. (iStock)
He added that future analysis will discover whether or not different widespread fibers past inulin can set off comparable protecting results.
The implications stretch far past the lab. If sure fibers can practice intestine microbes to neutralize sugar earlier than it harms the liver, it might open the door to new therapies for fatty liver illness, diabetes, weight problems and even most cancers.
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For now, researchers clarify that the findings point out that fiber not solely aids digestion however could be a defender of metabolic well being.
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As Jang put it: “For instance, by checking how effectively somebody’s intestine micro organism clears fructose earlier than the physique absorbs it, we will select the best prebiotic or probiotic complement for that individual to enhance outcomes and scale back negative effects.”