Typical microbial colonies found on or in the body are normally benign or beneficial. These beneficial and appropriately sized microbial colonies carry out a series of helpful and necessary functions, such as aiding in digestion or protecting the body from the penetration of pathogenic microbes. These beneficial microbial colonies compete with each other for space and resources.
When this balance is disturbed, due for example to antibiotic exposure, inappropriate diet, stress, etc., these colonies exhibit a decreased ability to check each other's growth, which can then lead to overgrowth of one or more of the disturbed colonies which may further damage some of the other smaller beneficial ones in a vicious cycle. This microbial imbalance is called “dysbiosis”.
Metabolites produced in these conditions, such as LipoPolySaccharides (LPS) can thus damage the gut membrane and unable it to act properly as a barrier and lead to a so-called “leaky gut”.
GOS, gold-standard prebiotics
Figure 1. Evolution of bifidobacteria levels throughout lifespan. Adapted from (3)
Galacto-oligosaccharides (GOS) have been studied for decades for their effect on gastro-intestinal transit, on mineral absorption or on immunity and allergies (1) (2), in particular throught their ability to promote the growth of bifidobacteria.
Among the vast gut bacterial community, bifidobacterium is probably the most largely studied genus which colonizes Human gastro-intestinal tract at all life stages.
While it is dominant in healthy breast-fed infants, its levels decrease but remain relatively stable in adulthood (30-40%) and then drop in elderly (10%) (Figure 1) (3).
The lack of bifidobacteria has been linked to a serie of diseases or conditions such as Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), obesity, asthma, cystic fibrosis or allergies (4).
Benefits
Bifidogenic (*)
Promotes the growth of bifidobacteria
Inhibits the adherence of pathogens
Lactose- & Dairy-free
Suitable for vegan and lactose intolerant people
Plant-based
Extracted from legumes
Non GM
Very Pure
> 95% pure GOS
Gently processed
(*) Potential consumer benefits have not been evaluated by EFSA nor FDA and are not to be considered as health claims. They should be considered as potential leads that might be developed into health claims complying with the local legal requirements
Mode of action
The microbiota plays an active role in the integrity of the gut health membrane, through the production of various metabolites.
While in a "dysbiotic" situation, the production of low-inflammation markers such as Lipo-PolySaccharides (LPS) may lead to an inflammation of the gut membrane cells, a disruption of tight junctions and finally, to an increased intestinal permeability - "leaky gut".
Proofs of efficacy
The bifidogenic action of GOS has been studied in multiple preclinical and clinical trials in infants and adults and is now well established.
AlphaGOS® exerts prebiotic effects both in lean and obese subjects by increasing levels of bifidobacteria and modulating SCFAs production. These effects are similar to those of lactose-based GOS which are well-established prebiotics extensively studied in a variety of conditions.
Figure 2. Comparison of bifidogenic effects of AlphaGOS and lactose-based GOS. Rows with a different letter are significantly different (p<0.001)(5)
Figure 3. Comparison of Short-Chain Fatty Acids production with AlphaGOS® and lactose-based GOS (5)
Applications
Gut Health and Probiotics culture
Recommended dosage: 3g/day
AlphaGOS® is perfectly soluble in water, tasteless and slightly sweet.
Its flowability and granulometry enable to use it hard-gel capsules, sticks or sachets. It can also be used for orodispersible applications.
Contact us for more informationReferences
(1) Vera C, et al. Córdova A, Aburto C, Guerrero C, Suárez S, Illanes A. Synthesis and purification of galacto-oligosaccharides: state of the art. World J Microbiol Biotechnol. 2016 Dec;32(12):197
(2) Fiocchi A, et al. World Allergy Organization (WAO) Diagnosis and Rationale for Action against Cow's Milk Allergy (DRACMA) Guidelines. Pediatr Allergy Immunol. 2010 Jul;21 Suppl 21:1-125.
(3) Arboleya S, et al. Gut Bifidobacteria Populations in Human Health and Aging. Front Microbiol. 2016 Aug 19;7:1204.
(4) Vandenplas Y, et al. Oligosaccharides in infant formula: more evidence to validate the role of prebiotics. Br J Nutr. 2015 May 14;113(9):1339-44
(5) Internal in vitro study: Co-incubation (triplicate) with Human adult lean or obese microbiota of AlphaGOS®, beta-GOS or control (4 mg/mL ; 20hrs)