New Study: RS2 and gut inflammation in Malawian children.

Finally, a study showing that Resistant Starch Type 2 is not the "wonder drug" that I have promoted for nearly three years now. Did RS2 cause gut inflammation in rural Malawi children?

It's been too easy, what with study after study for over 30 years showing that RS has profound effects on the gut biome and health of the habitual user. Let's take a look at this latest study and see if we should all immediately halt the use of RS2.

Too long?  Don't wanna read? : RS2, as found in raw potato starch, banana flour, and Hi-Maize corn starch is a great prebiotic and can be used as a supplement for fiber in a healthy diet!

Raw Potato Starch Attacked!

I have made it my sole purpose in life to stick up for the tiny little spheres of goodness that are raw potato starch. Just yesterday, the blogger behind The Paleo Mom blog went on a rampage against my beloved RPS, saying things like:

Now, a new contender is here for the superfood crown: resistant starch, especially in the form of raw potato starch. If you haven’t encountered enthusiastic advice to add potato starch (just stirred into a glass of cool water, yum?!) to your diet in order to treat all manner of ills, you probably will soon!

The Bifidogenic Properties of Raw Potato Starch

Moved to potatohack.com

Bifidobacteria; courtesy of MicrobeWiki

Hot Shit!

I'm just reading an article from the May 2014 journal Cell Death and Differentiation, titled "Gut microbiome and anticancer immune response: really hot Sh*t!." (hattip Gemma, who also helped me write this!)

I read lots and lots of scientific papers, too many, in fact.  But this one has really captured my attention.  It kind of cuts through a lot of the BS and narrows into what is really important when it comes to gut health.

In Search of the Perfect Fiber (Part 4...'ancient' science)

So far we've defined fiber and prebiotics, discussed that 20-50g/day of fermentable fibers is a good target, looked into real food and supplemental fiber sources, and also created a bit of confusion.  The topic of "fiber" is anything but simple.  You'll see in this post why so much confusion exists and why we really should pay attention.  The concept of fermentable fibers is very new, though we've relied on them for millions of years..

In Search of the Perfect Fiber (Part 3...supplements)

In Part 1 we discussed a target of 20-50 grams per day of the fiber types considered "fermentable" or "prebiotic." In Part 2, I confused things a bit by showing you that it's nearly impossible to accurately count fiber.

In Part 3, I'd like to show you what is available for fiber supplementation and give some ways to incorporate a fiber supplement into your diet.  I want this post to be a reference that people stumble across in 2,5,10 years from now when they are looking to buying fiber because their neighbor/doctor/kid told them they 'need more fiber.'

In Search of the Perfect Fiber (Part 2...food)

In Part 1 we discussed what fiber is, does, and how much we need.  To recap, nearly all governing agencies and nutritional advisory boards recommend that we need somewhere in the range of 20-40 grams of fiber per day.  Less for women, children and the elderly (defined as 'over 50,' ha!).

I proposed that we shoot for a similar amount, 25-50 grams per day, but we should only be counting what has traditionally been called "soluble" fiber, or the type that we now consider prebiotic fiber.  We also discussed that it is probably not necessary to eat an exact amount every day, and even taking a day or two away from fibers is maybe a good plan, in line with ancestral eating patterns.

In Part 2, let's discuss food choices designed around getting as much fermentable/soluble/prebiotic fiber as we can. I've invited three very knowledgeable folks, GabKad, Gemma and Wilbur, to help me write this post.

In Search of the Perfect Fiber (Part 1...quantity)

I learn so much writing this blog.  I feel very honored to have so many people who read and comment here.  My next few blog posts will relate mainly to fiber.

You've maybe clicked on the "Dietary Fiber" tab at the top.  It's kind of messy.  It's the first draft of a project I was working on last year.  Lots of good info and cites linked, but in the last few months I realized that people need more practical advice.