Prebiotic fibre has become a much talked about topic in dietary health for humans as the role fibre plays in regulating the gut microbiota and, in turn, the gut’s role in regulating general health - has become much more widely understood.
In recent years, Norkem has helped pioneer the supply of GOFOS, an alternative to inulin, to the food and beverage sector in the UK and Europe. GOFOS is a short-chain fructo-oligosaccharide (scFOS), a complex carbohydrate molecule built up of short fructose chains.
ScFOS molecules are indigestible and are therefore classed as fibre. They are, however, fermented by the microorganisms that live in the gut, and are known to regulate and stabilise populations of ‘good bacteria’ that are essential to a healthy gut - hence the designation as prebiotics.
A Prebiotic Fibre and with a naturally sweet flavour from the fructose molecules, GOFOS has emerged as a popular ingredient for snack bars, baked goods, cereals and more, adding healthy dietary fibre without compromising the flavour profile or adding calories.
But as understanding of the health benefits of fibre for humans continues to evolve, it’s also apparent that additives like GOFOS can play a role in livestock management, too. Horses in particular are known for having a sensitive hindgut and are vulnerable to a range of health conditions stemming from changes in diet, overfeeding, insulin resistance and more.
Over the years, a body of evidence has emerged demonstrating the positive effects scFOS supplements have on the gut health of horses, much the same way they do in humans.
For example, one study looked at the changes in horses’ microbiome caused by suddenly introducing barley to their diet, and the impact of scFOS in regulating these changes. In a control group that was not given scFOS, the introduction of barley caused significant changes in the colonic microflora, with big increases in concentrations of anaerobes, lactobacilli, streptococci, and lactate-utilising bacteria. In the group given scFOS, by contrast, no changes in the populations of these microorganisms were observed.
The conclusion of the study was that scFOS supplementation was effective in reducing disruptions of the microbial populations in the equine hindgut under stressful situations like sudden dietary changes and starch overloads.
Another paper looked at the impact on scFOS on horses with symptoms of obesity and insulin resistance, two key risk factors in laminitis, a debilitating cause of lameness in horses and ponies. Again, the results of the study found moderate improvements in insulin sensitivity among horses given scFOS supplements.
Findings like these are promising for horse owners, trainers and breeders looking for non-invasive and non-pharmaceutical ways to support the health of their horses. As in humans, supporting good gut health through dietary means - prebiotic and probiotic - is a simple, natural and effective way to improve overall health and well-being. Plant-based and with no nutritional impact beyond helping to regulate gut activity, GOFOS is a safe addition to your horses’ diet that could reap considerable long-term benefits.
To find out more, please get in touch to speak to our dedicated team.