From the Guidelines
Prebiotic collagen fiber is a nutritional supplement that combines collagen protein with prebiotic fibers, potentially supporting gut health and collagen production, although its effectiveness in maintaining remission in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is not conclusively established 1.
Definition and Composition
Prebiotic collagen fiber typically contains hydrolyzed collagen peptides mixed with prebiotic fibers such as inulin, fructooligosaccharides (FOS), or resistant starch. The prebiotic component serves as food for beneficial gut bacteria, promoting their growth and activity in the digestive system, while the collagen provides amino acids necessary for skin, joint, and connective tissue health.
Potential Benefits
When consumed regularly, prebiotic collagen fiber may help improve digestive function by supporting a healthy gut microbiome, while simultaneously providing the building blocks needed for collagen synthesis in the body. This dual-action approach makes it potentially more effective than taking collagen or prebiotics separately. Some studies suggest that prebiotic fibers may be useful in the maintenance of remission in some patients with ulcerative colitis (UC), although the evidence is not strong enough to recommend it as a standard treatment for IBD 1.
Dosage and Administration
The typical recommended dosage ranges from 5-20 grams daily, often mixed into beverages or foods, though specific amounts may vary by product. For best results, consistency is key, as both gut health improvements and collagen benefits typically require regular supplementation over weeks to months.
Evidence and Recommendations
While there is some evidence to suggest that prebiotic fibers, including those found in prebiotic collagen fiber, may have benefits for patients with UC, the current evidence does not support its use as a primary treatment for maintaining remission in IBD 1. However, given the potential benefits for gut health and collagen production, it may be reasonable to consider prebiotic collagen fiber as a complementary supplement for patients with IBD, under the guidance of a healthcare professional.
From the Research
Definition of Prebiotics
- Prebiotics are compounds in food that benefit health via affecting the gut microbiome 2
- They are a group of nutrients that are degraded by gut microbiota, and their relationship with human overall health has been an area of increasing interest in recent years 3
- Prebiotics are a selectively fermented ingredient that allows specific changes, both in the composition and/or activity in the gastrointestinal microflora that confers benefits upon host well-being and health 4
Types and Sources of Prebiotics
- Fructo-oligosaccharides, inulin, and galactooligosaccharides are universally agreed-upon prebiotics 5
- Other isolated carbohydrates and carbohydrate-containing foods, including galactooligosaccharides (GOS), transgalactooligosaccharides (TOS), polydextrose, wheat dextrin, acacia gum, psyllium, banana, whole grain wheat, and whole grain corn also have prebiotic effects 4
- Omega-3 fatty acids have been associated with differences in gut microbiome composition and may be considered a prebiotic nutrient 2
Mechanisms of Prebiotics
- Prebiotic dietary fibers act as carbon sources for primary and secondary fermentation pathways in the colon, and support digestive health in many ways 5
- They can feed the intestinal microbiota, and their degradation products are short-chain fatty acids that are released into blood circulation, consequently, affecting not only the gastrointestinal tracts but also other distant organs 3
Prebiotic Collagen Fibre
- There is no direct evidence in the provided studies to define prebiotic collagen fibre
- However, it can be inferred that prebiotic collagen fibre may refer to a type of dietary fibre that has prebiotic effects and is related to collagen, but more research is needed to confirm this definition.