Interactions of Dietary Fibre with Nutritional Components on Gut Microbial Composition, Function and Health in Monogastrics

Abstract

The relation between dietary fibre and the well-being of human and other monogastrics has recently became a hot topic as shown by the increasing number of publications of the related research. The aim of this review is to describe - through a logical approach - the scientific suggestion linking possible benefits of dietary fibre on nutritional components and their effect on the gastrointestinal composition in relation to disease conditions in humans and animals. Dietary fibre plays a key role in: influencing blood glucose or insulin concentrations, stool bulkiness, reducing the pH within the digestive tract, synthesising volatile fatty acids (VFA), reducing intestinal transit time, stimulating growth of intestinal microbes, and constructively enhancing various blood parameters. The available literature suggests that fibre influences the bioavailability of nutrients and maintains the host's well-being by controlling disorders and disease prevalent with a Western way of living such as constipation and diarrhoea, diabetes, obesity, gastrointestinal inflammation, atherosclerosis, and colon cancer. Although there are some studies demonstrating that dietary fibre may be effective in the prevention and treatment of these disorders, the mechanisms involved are yet to be understood.

Effects of pulverized oyster mushroom (Pleurotus ostreatus) on diarrhea incidence, growth performance, immunity, and microbial composition in piglets

“…The mechanism through by a low concentration of POM increased nutrient digestibility is unclear. However, it was well established that mushrooms contain high fibre content and these dietary fibres may decrease intestinal transit time and hence account for its effect on nutrient digestibility …”

Prebiotic effects of alfalfa (Medicago sativa) fiber on cecal bacterial composition, short-chain fatty acids, and diarrhea incidence in weaning piglets

“…The gut microbiota contains over 10 14 microbial cells that collectively comprise at least 150 times more genes than their host. 1,2 The composition of the gut microbiota in humans and other monogastric animals varies based on age, diet, genetic characteristics, and sex. 1 Gut microbiota have some important functions in host health, nutrient metabolism and absorption, development of the host immune system, differentiation of the gut epithelium, and maintenance of the gut mucosal barrier functions.…”

“…1,2 The composition of the gut microbiota in humans and other monogastric animals varies based on age, diet, genetic characteristics, and sex. 1 Gut microbiota have some important functions in host health, nutrient metabolism and absorption, development of the host immune system, differentiation of the gut epithelium, and maintenance of the gut mucosal barrier functions. 3,4 Previous evidence indicated that gut microorganisms can directly inuence physiological conditions in animals such as improving the roles of the intestinal barrier, stimulating defence mechanisms against pathogens, improving the host immune system, increasing defensive mechanisms against inammatory bowel diseases (IBD), 5 regulating autoimmunity, producing biological metabolites, preventing obesity and regulating diabetes, and destroying cancer cells.…”

“…3,4 Previous evidence indicated that gut microorganisms can directly inuence physiological conditions in animals such as improving the roles of the intestinal barrier, stimulating defence mechanisms against pathogens, improving the host immune system, increasing defensive mechanisms against inammatory bowel diseases (IBD), 5 regulating autoimmunity, producing biological metabolites, preventing obesity and regulating diabetes, and destroying cancer cells. 1,6 The interactions between the host gut-microbiota are dynamic and highly vulnerable to several environmental conditions, particularly diet. 1 Alfalfa is a high-yielding perennial legume that is cultivated worldwide with rich nutritional characteristics and bioactive compounds.…”

“…1,6 The interactions between the host gut-microbiota are dynamic and highly vulnerable to several environmental conditions, particularly diet. 1 Alfalfa is a high-yielding perennial legume that is cultivated worldwide with rich nutritional characteristics and bioactive compounds. 7,8 Alfalfa ber is mainly composed of insoluble dietary ber, such as cellulose, lignin, and xylans, representing more than 90% of the total dietary ber composition of alfalfa.…”