152 Resources Short-chain Fructooligosaccharides (scFOS) Short-chain fructooligosaccharides (scFOS) are carbohydrates that are not digested by amylases or brush border disachharidases in the upper digestive tract, but are fermented by normal gut flora such as bifidobacteria in the colon to short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), such as butyrate. Because the fermentation of scFOS by the colonic microbiota produces beneficial physiological effects, the FDA allows scFOS to be classified as dietary fiber. Although the definition of dietary fibers as either soluble or insoluble is an outdated designation, scFOS have historically been referred to as soluble fibers. scFOS are designated as prebiotics because they stimulate the growth of healthy intestinal bacteria, (eg, bifidobacteria). 1 SCFAs perform a number of beneficial functions in the GI tract, some of which include: • Promoting the uptake of electrolytes and water in the colon, 2 which is important in the management of diarrhea 3 • Helping to maintain GI-tract integrity, with butyrate being the preferred energy source of the colonocytes 1,4 • Promoting the growth of beneficial bacteria 5 Medical nutritional products containing scFOS contribute to GI-tract health and can help meet the recommended daily intake for dietary fiber. Experts recommend daily fiber intake of 20 to 35 grams for adults. Due to their short chain length, scFOS are quickly fermented by gut flora. 3 Abbott Nutrition offers many medical nutritionals containing scFOS. Please refer to individual product pages to learn more about which products contain scFOS. scFOS Benefits • Prebiotics that stimulate the growth of beneficial bacteria (eg, bifidobacteria) in the colon 1,6,7 • Fermented by bacteria in the colon to SCFAs, which help create an acidic environment that promotes the growth of beneficial bacteria and stimulate water and electrolyte uptake in the colon 2 which is important in the management of diarrhea 4,5 • Enhance calcium absorption, potentially in amounts as low as 3 g/day of scFOS, though larger amounts are sometimes required 8-10 • Help maintain a healthy immune system 11 References: 1. Gibson GR, et al. J Nut r. 1995;125(6):1401-1412. 2. Bowling TE, et al. Lancet . 1993;342(8882):1266-1268. 3. Field M, et al. J Clin Invest . 2003; 111(7):931-943. 4. Stewart ML, et al. Nutr Res . 2008;(28):329-334. 5. Gibson GR. Br J Nutr. 1998;80(4):S209-S212. 6. Tokunaga T, et al. Bifidus . 1993;6(2):143-150. 7. Bouhnik Y, et al. Nutr J. 2007;(6):42-48. 8. Uenishi K, et al. Jpn J Nutr Diet. 2002;(60):11-18. 9. Fukushima Y, et al. J Nutr Food. 2002;(5):49-60. 10. Ohta A, et al. J Nutr Food. 1999;(2):37-43. 11. Bornet F, et al. Nutr Rev. 2002;(60):326-334. 152