Flavobiotic food supplement: flavonoids for the microbiota

Flavo Fight is a patented ‘flavobiotic’ supplement, naturally extracted from sweet orange (Citrus sinensis). Supported by two scientific studies, one in vitro and the other clinical, it is standardised to two specific flavonoids - 80% hesperidin and 3.5% naringin, in order to maximise its efficacy for the microbiome.

What exactly is the microbiome?

The human microbiome is the community of microorganisms (bacteria, fungi, viruses, archaea, eukaryotes) that exist in symbiosis with the body (1). It is located in areas of the body with epithelial tissue such as the stomach, gut, skin, respiratory tract and urogenital system (2). High-throughput sequencing has revolutionised research in this field: we now know that the microbiome is composed of around 100 trillion microorganisms, some of which are passed on by from mother to baby during childbirth and breastfeeding.

Its composition and function vary according to age, sex and diet, as well as lifestyle, stress, depression, illness, antibiotic use and other environmental factors (3). The latest studies clearly show how important it is in maintaining good health(4) :

• it supports normal metabolism (in particular, through the fermentation of indigestible food residues) ;
• it is involved in growth, especially of the brain;
• it helps protect the body against pathogens;
• it helps maintain the integrity of the intestinal mucosal barrier (5) ;
• it is crucial for the synthesis of certain vitamins, especially vitamins B12 and K;
• it interacts with the mucosal immune system.

This composition is finely balanced, and can be easily upset by a range of factors. Such an imbalance is referred to as dysbiosis, and it’s associated with many health issues including obesity, metabolic syndrome, inflammatory bowel disease, arthritis …

A new therapeutic approach has emerged which consists of using metabolites secreted, modulated or broken down by the human microbiome: short-chain fatty acids.

What are short-chain fatty acids ? What benefits do they offer?

Commensal bacteria in the microbiome ferment carbohydrates and proteins from ingested food into short-chain fatty acids (lactic, acetic, butyric acids, etc) and gases (hydrogen, carbon dioxide).

These short-chain fatty acids then serve as a source of energy for intestinal cells which need them in order to function correctly. In particular, they encourage peristalsis and confer protective and anti-inflammatory effects on the mucosa. This is important as a mucous membrane that’s damaged or has an insufficient protective layer can be breached by all manner of pathogens, leading to the inflammation that can cause discomfort and disease.

Recent studies show that flavonoids in the diet improve this formation of short-chain fatty acids.

What is in the supplement FlavoFight?

Flavofight contains valuable flavonoids naturally extracted from orange (Citrus sinensis). It is standardised to 80% hesperidin and 3.5% isonaringin for optimal efficacy, and contains fibre that’s absorbable by the microbiome. Studies show that 90%-95% of the flavonoids in Flavofight reach the gut intact where they are metabolised.