Evidence of Adaptation to Dietary Exposure to Fructans Clinical Trial
Official title:
A Pilot Study Using Magnetic Resonance Imaging to Measure the Effect of Dietary Supplementation With Fructans on Whole Gut Transit Time, Colonic Gas Volume, and Volume Change in Response to a Fructan Challenge
Some carbohydrates (complex sugars) which are found in grains, fruit and vegetables, cannot
be digested by humans. When eaten they pass through the small bowel to the large bowel, or
colon. Some bacteria that live in the colon are able to digest these carbohydrates, and use
them as an energy source. This releases energy that humans can absorb, and may have other
effects on health as well. The process also releases gases such as hydrogen and methane into
the colon, which will eventually be released as flatulence.
There is some evidence in animals, and humans, that changing the carbohydrate content of the
diet may increase the numbers of bacteria in the colon that can use this energy source.
Recent work has looked at how changes in colon bacteria and carbohydrate in the diet affect
transit, the speed at which food and stool moves through the stomach and bowels. This
undergraduate project will use techniques in Magnetic Resonance Imaging developed in
Nottingham to investigate how a prolonged change in dietary carbohydrate might affect speed
of transit through the bowel and gas production in the colon, and whether there is any
evidence of a change in the level of signalling chemicals that may affect bowel function.
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Intervention Model: Single Group Assignment, Masking: Open Label, Primary Purpose: Basic Science