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ARS Home » Plains Area » Houston, Texas » Children's Nutrition Research Center » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #203217
Title: A combination of prebiotic short- and long-chain inulin-type fructans enhances calcium absorption and bone mineralization in young adolescents

Author
item Abrams, Steven
item Griffin, Ian
item HAWTHORNE, KELI - BAYLOR COLLEGE OF MEDICIN
item LIANG, LILY - BAYLOR COLLEGE OF MEDICIN
item GUNN, SHEILA - BAYLOR COLLEGE OF MEDICIN
item DARLINGTON, GRETCHEN - BAYLOR COLLEGE OF MEDICIN
item Ellis, Kenneth

Submitted to: The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 3/8/2005
Publication Date: 8/1/2005
Citation: Abrams, S.A., Griffin, I.J., Hawthorne, K.M., Liang, L., Gunn, S.K., Darlington, G., Ellis, K.J. 2005. A combination of prebiotic short- and long-chain inulin-type fructans enhances calcium absorption and bone mineralization in young adolescents. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 82(2):471-476.

Interpretive Summary: Prebiotics, which are non-absorbed sugars, may be important in gut health and in increasing calcium absorption in humans. There are no studies however of the effects of prebiotic supplementation on long-term calcium absorption or bone mineralization. We conducted a controlled trial of one year of supplementation with a prebiotic in young adolescents. We found that the prebiotic supplementation increased how much calcium was absorbed from the diet and the amount of bone that was formed. These data are important in that they support the addition of prebiotics to food commodities such as juices and yogurts. Both consumers and industry may consider the unique benefits to bone health from prebiotic supplementation.

Technical Abstract: BACKGROUND: Short-term studies in adolescents have generally shown an enhancement of calcium absorption by inulin-type fructans (prebiotics). Results have been inconsistent, however, and no studies have been conducted to determine whether this effect persists with long-term use. OBJECTIVE: The objective was to assess the effects on calcium absorption and bone mineral accretion after 8 wk and 1 y of supplementation with an inulin-type fructan. DESIGN: Pubertal adolescents were randomly assigned to receive 8 g/d of a mixed short and long degree of polymerization inulin-type fructan product (fructan group) or maltodextrin placebo (control group). Bone mineral content and bone mineral density were measured before randomization and after 1 y. Calcium absorption was measured with the use of stable isotopes at baseline and 8 wk and 1 y after supplementation. Polymorphisms of the Fok1 vitamin D receptor gene were determined. RESULTS: Calcium absorption was significantly greater in the fructan group than in the control group at 8 wk (difference: 8.5 +/- 1.6%; P < 0.001) and at 1 y (difference: 5.9 +/- 2.8%; P = 0.04). An interaction with Fok1 genotype was present such that subjects with an ff genotype had the least initial response to fructan. After 1 y, the fructan group had a greater increment in both whole-body bone mineral content (difference: 35 +/- 16 g; P = 0.03) and whole-body bone mineral density (difference: 0.015 +/- 0.004 g/cm(2); P = 0.01) than did the control group. CONCLUSION: Daily consumption of a combination of prebiotic short- and long-chain inulin-type fructans significantly increases calcium absorption and enhances bone mineralization during pubertal growth. Effects of dietary factors on calcium absorption may be modulated by genetic factors, including specific vitamin D receptor gene polymorphisms.