Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 4

Calcium Fructo-Oligosaccharides (Ca-FOS) are primarily used to support the health of the small intestine due to their prebiotic properties. Fructo-oligosaccharides (FOS) are short-chain fructans that resist digestion in the upper gastrointestinal tract and reach the colon largely intact. Here, they are fermented by beneficial gut microbiota, particularly Bifidobacteria and Lactobacilli, which leads to an increase in these health-promoting bacteria and the production of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) such as butyrate, propionate, and acetate. SCFAs provide energy to colonocytes and support the integrity of the gut barrier. Although the majority of fermentation occurs in the large intestine, some evidence suggests FOS may also promote beneficial shifts in microbiota and metabolic activity in the distal small intestine.

Several clinical studies and systematic reviews support the safety and efficacy of FOS as prebiotics, showing their role in modulating gut microbiota, improving bowel function, and enhancing mineral absorption, including calcium. The addition of calcium to FOS (as in Ca-FOS) may further enhance calcium bioavailability. The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) recognizes FOS as a prebiotic with established benefits for gut health. Thus, the use of Ca-FOS to support small intestine health is justified by substantial scientific evidence, though most research emphasizes effects in the colon and broader gut environment rather than the small intestine alone.

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