Fiber, genes and the gut microbiome: Study reveals possible triggers for inflammatory bowel disease (High fiber or low fiber with isobutyrate production helps IBD)

Medical Xpress / University of Michigan / Cell Host & Microbe ^ | March 20, 2024 | Marie Boudaud et al

[ConservativeMind]

A new U-M study finds a complex interplay between diet, genes, and the gut microbiota that could explain why IBD develops. The newest study builds on previous work that found that a low fiber diet led to a proliferation of mucin degrading bacteria—bacteria that thrive by eating the mucus lining of the intestine.

In some people, genetic loss of a cytokine—a protein that affects the immune system—known as interleukin-10 (IL-10) or its receptor, leads to the early onset of IBD.

While some of these mice spontaneously developed inflammation in their intestinal tracts as well, the level of severity varied and appeared to be made worse by the presence of certain bacteria and a low-fiber diet.

The inflammation triggered by fiber-free diets appeared to increase in reaction to the increased abundance of mucin-degrading bacteria Akkermansia mucinphila and Bacteroides caccae.

"These bacteria start foraging on the mucus layer for nutrients, reducing its thickness and barrier function and bringing microbes just 10–100 microns closer to the host tissue. That was enough in the context of the mice with IBD genetics to make them sick," said Martens.

On the other hand, feeding the mice a fiber-rich diet prevented inflammation from developing, and even returning mice fed low fiber to a high fiber diet led to a peak in inflammation followed by a decline, suggesting fiber can reverse the deleterious effects of mucus erosion on inflammation.

But ironically, IBD, especially in children, is often treated with a formula-based diet called exclusive enteral nutrition (EEN), which lacks fiber. Despite a lack of fiber, this diet does result in reduced inflammation.

The team then discovered that elevated amounts of a single branched-chain fatty acid, isobutyrate, were elevated in EEN-fed mice and might suppress inflammation. Isobutyrate is produced through fermentation by some bacteria in the gut.

[ConservativeMind]

A high fiber diet initially brought on higher inflammation, then it declined toward normal. A low fiber diet with the normal exclusive enteral nutrition approach provides other bacteria the capability to make isobutyrate, which, although it keeps the mucus barrier super thin, it also reduces subsequent inflammation.

The gut should not have a super thin barrier from bacteria eating it, due to not getting fiber in the diet.

It seems a no fiber diet sets up the gut for a continual problem that can get worse on a moment’s notice.

[ConservativeMind]

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[sauropod]

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[onceone]

Raises two questions. Who paid for the study, if it really is a study? Is all of the anecdotal evidence of a myriad of gut issues going away or being in remission by eating what Dr. Ken Berry coined “The Proper Human Diet” fabrications?

[higgmeister]

Mountain Girl's IBS. &nbst; Bump

[logi_cal869]

It’s a LOT more complicated.

Ironically, the solutions are all quite simple.

Just gird for the so-called ‘experts’ to take decades to a century to figure it out.

In the meantime, I’ll get back to work on the book (eventually, if I can find the motivation).

[telescope115]

Interesting study, and interesting findings.