Does Galactooligosaccharide Enhance Nutrient Availability?
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Does Galactooligosaccharide Supplementation Enhance Nutrient Availability in Physically Active Individuals?
IRAS ID
322076
Contact name
Javier Gonzalez
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Bath
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 9 months, 2 days
Research summary
Nutrient availability is an important aim for physically active individuals. For example, carbohydrate availability during exercise is a primary factor dictating exercise capacity and immune responses to exercise. It has been proposed that the primary limitation to ingested carbohydrate usage is the capacity for intestinal carbohydrate absorption. Intestinal carbohydrate absorption is, in part, limited by the number and location of key carbohydrate transport proteins (SGLT-1 and GLUT5). Furthermore, the ability of the intestine to absorb carbohydrate appears to be particularly limited during exercise in the heat, possibly due to a reduction in gut blood flow and/or damage to the gut wall. Interestingly, evidence in rodents suggests that the products of fermentation by gut bacteria may increase carbohydrate transporter expression in the intestine (10.1053/gast.1997.v112.pm9041241), and human evidence indicates that supplementation with probiotics can increase ingested carbohydrate use during moderate-intensity cycling. It is currently unknown if prebiotics, such as the galactooligosaccharides found in Bimuno®, alter intestinal carbohydrate absorption and availability during exercise.
In addition to carbohydrate availability, a number of other nutrients are particularly important for health and performance in the active individual. Calcium and vitamin D availability is important for bone, immune function and skeletal muscle function. Iron and vitamin B status are important for red blood cell production, and the perception of energy levels (i.e. reduced fatigue). Zinc, and vitamins C and E are important for immune function and optimal function of the neural system. Galactooligosaccharide supplementation has recently been shown to increase iron absorption in young iron deplete women (10.1093/jn/nxaa199). Galactooligosaccaride supplementation may also have the potential to alter nutrient availability from these other nutrients, thereby contributing to health and performance in the active individual.
REC name
South West - Central Bristol Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
23/SW/0030
Date of REC Opinion
12 Apr 2023
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion