We are what we eat.
A high- fat will change microbiota of the gut. Prebiotic-rich foods will also change bacterial species which in turn can improve gut function.
But which genome material changes are responsible?
Researchers recently subjected mice to either a high-fat diet or a prebiotic diet for 8 weeks. Results showed that the gut microbiome was significantly affected at taxonomic levels. For example, “prebiotic treatment increased Reg3g expression (by ~50-fold) and improved intestinal homeostasis as suggested by the increase in the expression of intectin, a key protein involved in intestinal epithelial cell turnover.”
In addition, the prebiotic diet counteracted inflammation and related metabolic disruptions. Interestingly, the prebiotic diet reduced leptin levels in the blood. Leptin is produced in fat tissue. And insulin resistance was also lower in the prebiotic group.
These functions improved, reflecting what was observed on a more basic structural and genetic level. For a fascinating look at the research and follow-up discussion read the article here in the ISME journal.
Prebiotics are no passing fad. Eat your vegetables. And bananas, oats, barley, flax and wheat.