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Fructooligosaccharides (FOS) are natural components of plants and have an important role in digestive tract health. The FOS is utilized only by the most desirable bacteria species in the small and large intestines. The feeding of FOS complements and expands the benefits of direct-fed microbial supplementation for healthier puppies and dogs.
Fructooligosaccharides (FOS) are long chains of fructose molecules joined together, and serve as carbohydrate reserves found in over 36,000 plant species. Inulin, the carbohydrate reserve in chicory roots, is processed for the FOS featured in the Fastrack" Canine Microbial Supplement. Animal digestive enzymes can not degrade FOS into the individual fructose molecules.
Research indicates that FOS enhances the growth of Bifidobacteria, Lacfobacillus acidophilus and a few other Lactobacilli species. Harmful bacteria, such as Citrobacfer, E. coil, Salmonella and Clos~ridium can not utilize FOS. Therefore, supplementing a diet with FOS selectively feeds the beneficial bacteria to tip the microbial balance in favor of good health. Microbiologists find that L. acidophilus and the Bifidobacferium reduce the growth of pathogenic bacteria, promote nutrient absorption and may enhance the immune system, among other desirable traits. Young animals and those on on milk-based diets have high populations of Bifodobacterium. Unfortunately, the levels of this health-promoting bacteria decline when animals are weaned and age.
L. acidophilus is included in most direct-fed microbial products, including Fastrack" Canine Microbial Supplement, to increase the intestinal population of this beneficial species. However, the Bifidobacterium are very temperature-sensitive during storage and require refrigeration. In addition, diet supplementation with FOS has proven to be a very effective means increasing intestinal levels of the Bifidobacferium, as well as L. acidophilus.
A study with Beagle dogs found that digestive tract numbers of Lactobacilli and Bifidobacterium numbers increased significantly after two weeks of FOS supplementation. The benefits of FOS supplementation were evaluated with sixteen German Shepherd dogs with small intestinal bacteria overgrowth and a deficiency of immunoglobulin-A (associated with the digestive tract). The dogs receiving FOS had lower small intestine levels of the pathogenic bacteria. Similar studies with livestock and humans also indicate a healthier microbial balance in the digetive tract of those receiving FOS.
Dog owners providing Fastrack" Canine Microbial Supplement to their dogs report enhanced appetites, improved food consumption, better haircoats and fewer digestive problems. These observations could potentially result from FOS encouraging the growth of L. acidophilus from the supplement and supporting the coloniziation of Bifidobacterium native to the small and large intestines. Supplementation with FOS increases the ability of beneficial bacteria to produce healthy puppies and dogs.
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