Differences were potentially attributable to differences in infant risk , prebiotic formulation or measurement of eczema .
There is insufficient evidence to determine the role of prebiotic supplementation of infant formula for prevention of allergic disease and food hypersensitivity .
Further trials are needed to determine whether this finding persists over a longer period of time , applies to other manifestations of allergic disease , is associated with reductions in allergen sensitisation , and is reproducible
BACKGROUND The composition of the intestinal microflora may be different in individuals with atopic eczema from those without this condition , and such differences may precede the development of eczema .
Prebiotics are nondigestible food components that benefit the host by selectively stimulating the growth or activity of non-pathogenic bacteria in the colon .
Prebiotics ( commonly oligosaccharides ) added to infant feeds have the potential to prevent sensitisation of infants to dietary allergens .
OBJECTIVES To determine the effect of prebiotics given to infants for the prevention of allergic disease or food hypersensitivity .
Dietary fructo-oligosaccharides in healthy adults do not negatively affect faecal cytotoxicity: a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover trial.
Fructo-oligosaccharides ( FOS ) are widely used in commercial food products . Most studies on FOS concern the health benefits , but some negative effects were recently reported concerning the faecal cytotoxicity and excretion of mucin-type oligosaccharides in combination with a Ca-restricted diet . The present study was performed to investigate whether these effects of FOS are observed in adults consuming a regular diet unrestricted in Ca . The study was a r and omised , double-blind , placebo-controlled crossover trial , involving eleven healthy adults , who consumed 25 - 30 g FOS or maltodextrin ( control ) in a r and om order for 2 weeks in addition to their regular diet . Stools were collected for analysis of pH and SCFA ( as markers of fermentation ) , for the assessment of faecal water cytotoxicity , and for the analysis of alkaline phosphatase activity ( as a marker of epithelial cell turnover ) and O-linked oligosaccharides ( to estimate the excretion of mucin-type oligosaccharides ) . FOS consumption significantly altered bacterial fermentation ( increased percentage of acetate , decreased percentage of butyrate ) and tended to decrease stool pH. Furthermore , FOS consumption result ed in a significantly higher stool frequency and in significantly more complaints of flatulence . No significant differences between the control and FOS period were observed in the mean cytotoxicity of faecal water ( 37.5 ( SEM 6.9)% v. 18.5 ( SEM 6.9)% ; P=0.084 ) , in mean alkaline phosphatase activity ( 27.7 ( SEM 2.9 ) v. 24.6 ( SEM 3.2 ) U/g dry faeces ; P=0.496 ) or in the mean excretion of mucin-type oligosaccharides ( 49.9 ( sem 4.0 ) v. 53.5 ( SEM 4.3 ) mg/g dry faeces ; P=0.553 ) . We conclude that dietary FOS in a dose up to 25 - 30 g/d altered the bacterial fermentation pattern but did not affect faecal cytotoxicity or the faecal concentration of mucin-type oligosaccharides in human adults consuming a regular diet
Differences were potentially attributable to differences in infant risk , prebiotic formulation or measurement of eczema .
There is insufficient evidence to determine the role of prebiotic supplementation of infant formula for prevention of allergic disease and food hypersensitivity .
Further trials are needed to determine whether this finding persists over a longer period of time , applies to other manifestations of allergic disease , is associated with reductions in allergen sensitisation , and is reproducible
BACKGROUND The composition of the intestinal microflora may be different in individuals with atopic eczema from those without this condition , and such differences may precede the development of eczema .
Prebiotics are nondigestible food components that benefit the host by selectively stimulating the growth or activity of non-pathogenic bacteria in the colon .
Prebiotics ( commonly oligosaccharides ) added to infant feeds have the potential to prevent sensitisation of infants to dietary allergens .
OBJECTIVES To determine the effect of prebiotics given to infants for the prevention of allergic disease or food hypersensitivity .