Inulin
What is Inulin?
Inulin is a naturally occurring non-digestible oligosaccharide (type of fiber) found in certain plants and is known for its prebiotic activity.
Inulin is a naturally occurring fiber that fosters healthy intestinal flora. By boosting the number of friendly bacteria in the gut, inulin can protect against inflammation, toxic overload, SIBO, food allergies, eczema, stress, reduce constipation and diarrhea, and possibly improve other behaviors associated with autism.
Inulin passes through the upper gastrointestinal tract without being broken down, once it reaches the colon it has been shown to stimulate the growth and activity of Bifidobacteria and Lactobacilli, thereby influencing the composition of gut bacteria. [1, 2]
This modulation of the gut bacteria by inulin can help protect against pathogens and toxins which could create inflammation and contribute to cancer.
Furthermore, when inulin is fermented by the bacteria in the gut, short-chain fatty acids and lactic acid are produced, decreasing the pH of the colon and protecting against harmful bacterial overgrowth. It is thought that the byproducts of this inulin fermentation contribute to inulin’s cancer-protective properties. [1]
The Nemechek Protocol encourages the use of inulin in children to reverse and control Small Intestine Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO) and the production of propionic acid. It is thought that through the use of inulin, antisocial behaviors, increased sensitivities, and gait abnormalities can be improved in a matter of weeks. [7]
It is becoming more common for manufacturers to add inulin to food products to increase fiber, reduce fat content, and decrease added sugar and sugar substitutes.
Long-chain inulin has a creamy mouthfeel which can improve texture in reduced-fat products.
Short-chain fructooligosaccharides (FOS) has a mildly sweet taste and can be used to limit added sugars.
Food Sources of Inulin
Is Inulin Benficial for Autism?
The research between Autism and Inulin is limited, however, there is a significant amount of research between inulin as a prebiotic and the beneficial impacts on autism symptoms.
Inulin and Bowel Motor Function
A 2017 randomized double-blind study found that daily supplementation with inulin increased Bifidobacterial growth, a friendly bacteria in the colon, and decreased gas and abdominal pain. [3]
Therefore, inulin could be beneficial for decreasing bloating and stomach cramping commonly experienced by children with autism.
Inulin and Exclusion Diets
Grimaldi et al conducted a 6-week study introducing a prebiotic, Bimuno® galactooligosaccharide (B-GOS®), to 30 autistic children who were following an exclusion diet; a diet that cut out certain foods the child was sensitive to.
The study concluded that autistic children on an exclusion diet had significantly lower scores of abdominal pain, bowel movements, and a more balanced number of friendly bacteria.[4]
Following the B-GOS® study, the children also showed improvements in antisocial behavior. [4]
Therefore, inulin may be promising for autistic children following any diet that requires certain foods to be excluded.
Inulin and Salivary Cortisol
One study found that supplementation of healthy volunteers with oligosaccharides, a type of inulin, reduced cortisol levels in saliva.
Cortisol is a hormone produced naturally by the body that can represent the body’s level of stress.
Supplementing with oligosaccharides was shown to have a positive impact on hormonal and behavioral responses such as decreased stress levels and increased attention span. Both of these domains are impacted in individuals with ASD. [5]
Inulin and SIBO
Small intestine bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) was significantly associated with worsened autism symptoms [6] Once such cause of this could be that the bacteria responsible for SIBO produce a large amount of propionic acid.
These elevated propionic acid levels are linked to antisocial behaviors, increased sensitivity to sound, light, touch as well as gait abnormalities. [7] According to Doctor Patrick Nemechek, children with autism have high levels of propionic acid. [7]
In the Nemechek Protocol, Dr. Nemechek recommends the use of inulin to reverse and control SIBO and therefore the production of propionic acid, which he claims can improve many of the symptoms associated with autism. [7]
Supplements
Inulin is most commonly taken as a powder supplement that is mixed with food, water, or juice. It can also be found in capsule, liquid, gummies, and as a component of probiotic/prebiotic supplements.
Examples of common Inulin supplements include:
Capsule/Softgel
Powder
NOW Organic Inulin Powder (most common & recommended)
Gummies
DISCLAIMER: Before starting any supplement or medication, always consult with your healthcare provider to ensure it is a good fit for your child. Dosage can vary based on age, weight, gender, and current diet.
Note: All supplements are linked to Amazon for convenience, however, buying supplements on Amazon does not guarantee quality, as there are many “unverified resellers” selling nutrition supplements. To buy supplements that are verified to be sent directly to the consumer, you can create an account on the Autism Dietitian FullScript and search for the respective supplement under “Catalog”.
Authors
Brittyn Coleman, MS, RDN/LD, CLT
Sinead Adedipe, MS, RDN
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[1] National Center for Biotechnology Information. PubChem Compound Summary for CID 24763, Inulin. https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/Inulin. Accessed Jan. 25, 2021.
[2] Fan C, Cao J, Zhang F. The prebiotic inulin as a functional food – a review. European Review for Medical and Pharmacological Sciences. 2016; 20.
[3] Azpiroz F, Molne L, Mendez S, et al. Effect of Chicory-derived Inulin on Abdominal Sensations and Bowel Motor Function. J Clin Gastroenterol. 2017;51(7):619-625. doi:10.1097/MCG.0000000000000723
[4] Grimaldi R, Gibson GR, Vulevic J, et al. A prebiotic intervention study in children with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs). Microbiome. 2018;6(1):133. Published 2018 Aug 2. doi:10.1186/s40168-018-0523-3
[5] Schmidt K, Cowen PJ, Harmer CJ, Tzortzis G, Errington S, and Burnet PW. Prebiotic intake reduces the waking cortisol response and alters emotional bias in healthy volunteers. Psychopharmacology. 2014 (Berl). doi:10.1007/s00213-014-3810-0
[6] Wang L, Yu YM, Zhang YQ, Zhang J, Lu N, Liu N. Hydrogen breath test to detect small intestinal bacterial overgrowth: a prevalence case-control study in autism. Eur Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 2018;27(2):233-40.
[7] Nemechek D. How I Reverse Autism in Children - Nemechek Autonomic Medicine. Nemechek Autonomic Medicine. https://www.nemechekconsultativemedicine.com/blog/how-i-reverse-autism-in-children/. Published 2016. Accessed January 23, 2021.
