BiotaGen^® is a distinctive formulation of soluble dietary fiber with prebiotic activities that stimulates growth of colonic populations of beneficial bacteria and enhances gastrointestinal and systemic immune function.^† BiotaGen^® combines chicory inulin with the immunomodulating actions of larch arabinogalactan and purified yeast beta-glucan.^†

Chicory-derived inulin is an inulin-type fructan best known for its ability to sustain increases in populations of Bifidobacterium, Lactobacillus, and Eubacterium, an important butyrate-producing species indigenous to the bowel.^† By escaping digestion and absorption in the small intestine, inulin-type fructans arrive largely intact in the colon where they selectively feed beneficial gut microbiota. In addition, inulin-type fructans promote normal colon transit times, enhance absorption of calcium and magnesium, favorably modulate lipid levels, support gut mucosal barrier and immune function, regulate intestinal epithelial cell growth, and reduce the number of potentially undesirable bacterial species.^†

Arabinogalactan, a polysaccharide derived from the Western Larch tree, is a highly soluble dietary fiber that enhances immune function by promoting cytokine production and increasing the number of natural killer cells.^† Indigestible by human enzymes, arabinogalactan exerts prebiotic properties including the ability to selectively stimulate Lactobacillus species. Arabinogalactan is metabolized to short-chain fatty acids (acetate, butyrate, and propionate) and reduces ammonia production.^†

Beta-glucan, a glucose polysaccharide prebiotic fiber, has broad, beneficial effects on immune function through enhancement of monocytes and macrophages. Beta-glucan stimulates immune responses to a wide spectrum of fungal, and undesirable microorganisms.^† BiotaGen^® is recommended to nutritionally support optimal gastrointestinal function, promote populations of healthful colonic bacteria, and enhance gastrointestinal and systemic immune function.^† BiotaGen^® works synergistically with probiotics to assure intestinal microbiota balance.^†