High Fiber Intake and Anti-Obesity
We know that many of the major and commonest diseases in modern Western culture are the result in large part by the reduced intake of dietary fiber. Obesity is one of those health problems that is obvious growing by leaps and bounds. What is the link between high fiber intake and anti-obesity?
Arora et al in their 2011 article— Propionate. Anti-obesity and satiety enhancing factor?— shine light on the role of the short chain fatty acid propionate.
Undigested soluble fibers are fermented by our good bacteria in the colon and give rise to various microbial metabolites. One very important category of byproducts are the short-chain fatty acids (SCFA): namely acetic, propionic and butyric acid.
We’ve talked a lot in the past newsletters about the importance of butyric acid as a critical health giving nutrient. But what about propionic acid?
According to Arora propionate has a hypophagic effect (delay gastric empty rate) thereby making us feel fuller longer. Propionate also reduces adipogenesis (the generation of new fat cells)- the result is an overall anti-obesity effect. Check out his article and of course the ground breaking, paradigm shifting books by Denis Burkitt .
- Arora et al. (2011) Propionate. Anti-obesity and satiety enhancing factor? Appetite;56(2):511-515.
- Burkitt. (1980) Don’t Forget Fibre in your Diet. Harper Collins (Publisher)
Clinical Note: The Beta Glucan High Potency Synbiotic is such a wonderful source of soluble fiber and of course its high levels of pedigreed probiotic organisms to support the fermentation of these fibers.
Take one tablespoon twice daily 20 minutes before your two largest meals.
The Last Quiz Answer: This amazing little creature is a Fennec Fox who lives, as a nocturnal animal, in “of all places” the Sahara Desert.
Green Facts
