Relieves stomach ache and helps control H.pylori:
Mastic Gum is a natural antiseptic remedy that inhibits or eliminates H.Pyori, improving gastrointestinal problems.
You might think that no organism living in the human stomach could withstand the combined, brutal chemical assault of hydrochloric acid and digestive enzymes. Yet some exceptionally tough micro-organisms can survive and even multiply in such a hostile environment. Among the most prevalent is the bacteria Helicobacter pylori (h.pylori) which is believed to infect the stomachs of up to 40% of the world's population. As its name suggests, H.pylori is a helicoidal-type bacteria which burrows like a corkscrew in the epithelial cells close to the pylorus. It survives by secreting urease, an alkalinizing enzyme which neutralizes stomach acids.
H.pylori infection is associated with gastritis, dyspepsia and peptic ulcers - in fact, it is now recognized as the cause of the latter. Standard treatment to eliminate H.pylori involves long and extensive multi-therapy with antibiotics and other drugs. The side-effects of this treatment (nausea, diarrhoea and allergies) can be hard to tolerate. What's more, the bacteria mutate and become resistant to the antibiotics. However, there is a natural product which has been used since ancient times as an antiseptic and remedy for a range of stomach ailments: mastic gum (pistacia lentiscus).
| Daily serving: 4 capsules Number of servings per bottle : 15 |
Quantity |
| Mastic resin standardised to provide 35% masticonic acids | 2 g |
| Other ingredients: Acacia gum, rice bran. | |
Acacia gum (also known as gum arabic) is a natural exudate from sap collected from the trunk and branches of certain species of acacia forest shrubs. This sap has traditionally been consumed by Africans and Indians to improve digestive health and intestinal transit. It’s a complex blend of polysaccharides and glycoproteins, specific compounds that the human body is unable to digest. This means it is resistant to digestive enzymes and is thus a source of energy for beneficial species of gut flora (probiotics), particularly bacteria from the genus Bifidobacterium and those able to produce lactic acid. It therefore fits this definition of a ‘prebiotic’ proposed by a team of researchers: “A selectively fermented ingredient allowing specific changes both in the composition and activity of the gastrointestinal microflora that confers benefits upon well-being and health.” (2). »
The sap from which Organic Acacia is produced comes from two species of acacia which meet the criteria for organic farming: wild Acacia senegal (L.) and Acacia seyal Delile (3). These two species grow abundantly in Saharan Africa (the Maghreb, Mali, Senegal, Sudan …). The exudate is produced in the trunk and branches when the tree is subjected either to tapping or to natural cracks in the bark caused by the wind, dry conditions, parasitical plants or foraging insects. The gum starts to form when the resin seeps out of these cuts and comes into contact with the air. Once harvested, the sap hardens and then undergoes fine liquid purification to eliminate any impurities (mineral or organic). The resulting syrup is briefly sterilised at high temperature, then dried and converted into a highly-soluble powder, and packaged for use in measured doses.
Acacia gum contains 90-97% soluble fibre – plant-based carbohydrates that are resistant to salivary and intestinal digestive enzymes as well as to oral and gut flora.
They reach the colon intact, at which point they’re confronted with more than 400 different species of bacteria which co-exist inside us. These bacteria include species which are able to use the dietary fibre as fuel to increase their growth. They’re called probiotics and are known to have beneficial effects on many of the body’s functions. In vitro studies have shown that of the various types of bacteria that populate the colon (beneficial and pathogenic), strains from the Bifidobacterium genus are most able to use acacia gum for their growth (4). This is a genus involved in the prevention of several diseases and in maintaining general health.
What’s more, when this fibre is broken down, metabolites are produced which themselves have a positive effect on other beneficial species: short-chain fatty acids, produced by bifidobacteria, stimulate the growth of bacteria that produce lactic acid. This virtuous circle goes even further since by promoting a growth in beneficial bacteria, there is greater protection against colonisation of the milieu by pathogenic bacteria (5).
In theory, then, this type of dietary fibre results in two changes:
Scientists are extremely interested in soluble fibre, acacia gum in particular, for an increasing number of applications.
Not all these applications are unanimously recognised by the scientific community, either because it is a new field and researchers are only at the initial stages of their investigations, or because studies so far conducted have sometimes proved contradictory, are insufficiently precise, have questionable methodology or concern sections of the population that are too specific.
Increase in beneficial bacteria in the colon (bifidobacteria)
According to several studies (mainly in vitro (7-8)), supplementation with acacia gum is associated with a rise in numbers of Bifidobacteria in the colon. Wyatt et al noted a significant increase in Bifidobacteria populations in the colon of a volunteer following supplementation with 10mg/day of acacia gum (9).
This effect was subsequently confirmed in a blind study of 10 healthy volunteers who took either 10g/15g of acacia gum for 10 days, or a placebo 10. The effect was more pronounced in subjects who had fewer than average bifidobacteria at the outset.
Decrease in pathogenic gastrointestinal microorganisms
Bifidobacteria inhibit the growth of pathogenic bacteria, both as a result of their natural development, as well as their ability to lower colon pH (11). Two in vitro studies (12) demonstrated the potential effect of acacia gum on the growth of bacteria from the Clostridium genus and on production of their corresponding toxin.
Increase in production of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs)
Given that Bifidobacteria produce short-chain fatty acids, an increase in their numbers would logically generate an accompanying rise in SCFA production. These health-beneficial fatty acids are 95% comprised of acetate, propionate and butyrate. While they all help to lower the pH of the milieu, each plays an additional, distinct role:
Thus two studies (17-18) failed to demonstrate a rise in SCFAs following daily supplementation with either 25g or 6g of acacia gum. As a result, acacia gum is not officially recognised as providing the beneficial effect of increased production of SCFAs for healthy populations as a whole.
Increase in satiety
Dietary fibre is recognised as helping to reduce calorie intake by increasing the feeling of satiety: in absorbing water, soluble fibre expands and produces a physical sensation of satisfaction in the stomach (19-21).
Other areas of interest
Scientists are also pursuing the following potential applications:
In 2001, the French government officially recognised acacia gum as a dietary source of soluble fibre (in the same way as Psyllium blond).
Data from clinical studies refers to its excellent digestive tolerance: incidence of flatulence, bloating and the abdominal cramps which often occur with soluble fibre are rare with acacia gum. This is because it is broken down more slowly by bacteria than most other prebiotics and because fewer fermentation compounds are produced (hydrogen, methane, carbon dioxide) than with FOS (22). Taking 10g/day (2 scoops) produces no changes in the number of stools or faecal weight.
Reports of allergic intolerance to acacia gum are extremely rare.
The effects of supplementing with acacia gum on the visceral adiposity index and blood pressure in type 2 diabetics – March 2018
Since animal studies have shown that acacia gum may enhance lipid metabolism due to an antioxidant effect and improve capillary function, researchers were interested in its potential effects on the visceral adiposity index. This is both an indicator of fat distribution and of increased risk of abdominal obesity and hypertriglyceridaemia.
Their study (25) involved 100 type 2 diabetics, 50 of whom took 30g/day of acacia gum, and 50 a placebo.
In those taking the supplement, levels of HDL (‘good’) cholesterol increased by around 20%, while there no change was seen in the placebo group. Triglyceride levels remained unchanged in both groups, while the visceral adiposity index decreased by 23.7% in those taking the acacia gum.
These findings support the conclusions of three other studies (one human (26) and two animal (27-28)), which demonstrated a potential anti-obesity effect from acacia gum. The researchers believe their results could be explained by possible improvements in insulin sensitivity and glucose homeostasis (29).
None of the authors declared any conflict of interest in relation to this study.
Fermentation of acacia gum (in vitro): impact on faecal microbiota - January 2018
Two doses of acacia gum and fructo-oligosaccharides (another antibiotic) were tested over 48 hours in an artificially-recreated colon model (with the same pH, temperature and bacterial strains as are found in the human colon). Samples were taken at the start of the test, then at 5 hours, 10 hours, 24 hours and 48 hours.
Fermentation of acacia gum was found to promote Bifidobacteria and Lactobacillus spp, a group of beneficial bacteria30. The effect lasted for 10 hours, and even as much as 24 hours, which could be evidence of slow fermentation, as suggested by previous studies31. At the same time, the number of the pathogenic bacteria Clostridium histolyticum decreased during fermentation, supporting several existing theories. Finally, production of SCFAs, particularly acetate, propionate and butyrate, also increased. The effects of the fructo-oligosaccharides were similar to those of acacia gum.
None of the authors declared any conflict of interest in relation to this study.
There are more than 30 species of gum-producing acacia but only Acacia senegal (hard gum) and Acacia seyal (friable gum) produce good quality gum, (Acacia senegal being of superior quality to Acacia seyal). The sap from which Organic Acacia is produced comes from these two species and is certified 100% organic.
Because it is high quality, producers can command a better price for it, which is reflected in the cost of the end product.
The trees which produce acacia gum prefer sandy soil and high temperatures throughout the year. It is therefore not possible to produce acacia gum of European origin.
It is between 300 and 800 kDa.
As a supplement, acacia gum is often combined with other substances such as Mastic Gum or probiotics. Those wishing to benefit from a liver detox at the same time can also take Desmo Forte™ or LIV 52®.
Prebiotics are resistant to heat which also preserves them throughout the manufacturing process and means they can be incorporated into any dish.
The gum tree actually serves to protect and improve the soil in which it grows: its highly-branched root system protects the soil from erosion and stabilises the dunes. It also helps fertilise it by providing a significant amount of nitrogen, phosphorus and proteins under its crown. Its contribution to the recycling of chemical elements has been the object of several studies (32-33).
The acacia is a robust tree: after it is tapped, it will recover as soon as the first rains arrive (34).
Production of acacia gum requires the involvement of rural populations: the revenue it generates for them supplements what they make from the sale of cotton, cereals and farming. These are regions where for 9-11 months of the year, drought conditions can exist and thus the inhabitants rely increasingly on these resources, especially as all the parts of the tree can be used by farmers (leaves, pods and fruit), either for animal feed, fuel, or as fertiliser.
In vitro studies suggest that fermentation of acacia fibre is relatively low and would not be expected to cause any unwelcome side-effects in healthy individuals35.
Significant effects appear to be induced by 10-15 g/day (36). One randomised, double-blind study involving 96 volunteers showed that a dose of less than 6g/day produced a barely significant increase in bifidobacteria compared with a control group. On the other hand, high doses will certainly cause side-effects such as diarrhoea or digestive discomfort (37).
Two scoops (2 x 5g) provide around 40% of the recommended daily amount of fibre (25 g).
A minimum of two scoops a day is therefore recommended, diluted in a drink of your choice (water or a plant-based drink), to be taken preferably before food.
No, it is certified non-GMO and organically-produced. It is also suitable for vegans and those following a low FODMAP diet.
Updated: 30/03/2018
References
1. EFSA Journal 2010; 8(2):1475
2. GIBSON G.R., PROBERT H.M., LOO J.V., RASTALL R.A., ROBERFROID M.B., Dietary modulation of the human colonic microbiota : updating the concept of prebiotics. Nutr. Res. Rev. 17 : 259-275, (2004).
3. CHERBUT C., MICHEL C., RAISON V., KRAVTCHENKO T., SEVERINE M., Acacia gum is a bifidogenic dietary fibre with high digestive tolerance in healthy humans, Microbial Ecology in Health and Disease, 15: 43 -50, (2003).
4. SALYERS AA. et al., Degradation of polysaccharides by intestinal bacterial enzymes. Am. J. Clin. Nutr. 31:S128-130, (1978).
5. ROBERFROID M., Prebiotics : the concept revisited, J. Nutr.,137:830S-837S, (2007)
6. MICHEL C., KRAVTCHENKO T.P., DAVID A., GUENEAU S., KOZOLOWSKI F., CHERBUT C., In vitro prebiotic effects of acacia gums onto the human intestinal microbiota depends on both botanical origin and environmental pH. Anaerobe 1998;257-66.
7. MARZORATI M., QIN B., HILDEBRAND F., KLOSTERBUER A., ROUGHEAD Z., ROESSLE C., ROCHAT F., RAES J., POSSEMIERS S., 2015. Addition of acacia gum to a FOS/inulin blend improves its fermentation profile in the simulator of the human intestinal microbial ecosystem (SHIMEV R). J. Funct. Foods. 16:211–222.
8. TERPEND K., POSSEMIERS S., DAGUET D., MARZORATI M. 2013. Arabinogalactan and fructo-oligosaccharides have a different fermentation profile in the Simulator of the Human Intestinal Microbial Ecosystem (SHIMEV R). Environ. Microbiol. Rep. 5:595–603.
9. WYATT T.M., BAYLISS C.E., HOLCROFT J.D., A change in human faecal flora in response to inclusion of gum arabic in the diet, British Journal of Nutrition, 55, 261–266, (1986).
10. Gjore NAKOV, Darina GEORGIEVA, Nastya IVANOVA, Stanka DAMYAANOVA, Viktorija STAMATOVSKA, Ljupka NECINOVA, Prebiotic Effects of Inulin and Gum Acacia (REVIEW), Food and Environment Safety, Volume XIV, Issue 2 – 2015, pag. 148 – 156
11. GIBSON G.R., ROBERFROID M.B. 1995., Dietary modulation of the human colonic microbiota : introducing the concept of prebiotics. J. Nutr. 125:1401–1412
12. MAY et al., 1994; MICHEL et al., 1998
13. BOURQUIN L.D., TITGEMEYER E.C., FAHEY G.C. Jr., GARLEB K.A., Fermentation of dietary fibre by human colonic bacteria : disappearance of, short-chain fatty acid production from, and potential water-holding capacity of, various substrates. Scand. J. Gastroenterol. 1993;28:249-55.
14. TITGEMEYER E.C., BOURQUIN L.D., FAHEY G.C. JR., GARLEB K.A., Fermentability of various fiber sources by human fecal bacteria in vitro. Am. J. Clin. Nutr. 1991;53:1418-24
15. TOPPING D.L., MOCK S., TRIMBLE R.P., STORER G.B., ILLMAN R.J., Effects of varying the content and proportions of gum arabic and cellulose on caecal volatile fatty acid concentrations in the rat. Nutrition Research 1988;8:1013-20
16. ANNISON G., TRIMBLE R.P., TOPPING D.L., Feeding Australian Acacia gums and gum arabic leads to non-starch polysaccharide accumulation in the cecum of rats. J.Nutr. 1995;125:283-92.
17. MCLEAN ROSS A.H., EASTWOOD M.A., BRYDON W.G., ANDERSON J.R., ANDERSON D.M., A study of the effects of dietary gum arabic in humans. Am. J. Clin. Nutr. 1983;37:368-75.
18. OCHAT F., BAUMGARTNER M., JANN A., ROCHAT C., NIELSEN G., REUTELER G. AND BALLÈVRE O. ,Synergistic effect of prebiotics on human intestinal microflora. 2001 – Ref Type: Personal Communication
19. MÂLKKI Y. AND VIRTANEN E., 2001, Gastrointestinal Effects of Oat Bran and Oat Gum A Review, Lebensm.- Wiss. u.- Technol. 34; 337-347
20. NORTON I.T., FRITH W.J., ABLETT S., 2006, Fluid gel mixed fluid gels and satiety, Food Hydrocolloids 20; 229-239
21. MARCIANI L., GOWLAND P.A., SPILLER R.C., MANOJ P., PRETIMA M., MOORE R.J., YOUNG P., AL-SAHAB S., BUSH D., WRIGHT J., FILLERY-TRAVIS A.J., 2000, Gastric Response to Increased Meal Viscosity Assessed by Echo-Planar Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Humans, The Journal of Nutrition, 130 (1); 122-127
22. CHERBUT C., MICHEL C., RAISON V., KRAVTCHENKO T.P., MEANCE S., Acacia gum is a bifidogenic dietary fiber with high digestive tolerance in healthy humans. Microbial. Ecol. Health. Dis. 2003;15:43-50.
23. MCLEAN ROSS A.H., EASTWOOD M.A., BRYDON W.G., BUSUTTIL A., MCKAY L.F., A study of the effects of dietary gum arabic in the rat. Br. J. Nutr. 1984;51:47-56.
24. MCLEAN ROSS A.H., EASTWOOD M.A., BRYDON W.G., ANDERSON J.R., ANDERSON D.M., A study of the effects of dietary gum arabic in humans. Am. J. Clin. Nutr. 1983;37:368-75.
25. BABIKER RASHA, ELMUSHARAF KHALIFA et al., Effect of Gum Arabic (Acacia Senegal) supplementation on visceral adiposity index (VAI) and blood pressure in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus as indicators of cardiovascular disease (CVD): a randomized and placebo-controlled clinical trial, Lipids Health Dis. 2018; 17 : 56. doi: 10.1186/s12944-018-0711-y
26. BABIKER R., MERGHANI T.H., ELMUSHARAF K., BADI R.M., LANG F., SAEED A.M., Effects of Gum Arabic ingestion on body mass index and body fat percentage in healthy adult females : two-arm randomized, placebo controlled, double-blind trial. Nutr. J. 2012;11(1):111. doi : 10.1186/1475-2891-11-111.
27. AHMED A.A., MUSA H.H., FEDAIL J.S., SIFALDIN A.Z., MUSA T.H., Gum arabic decreased visceral adipose tissue associated with downregulation of 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type I in liver and muscle of mice. Bioact. Carbohydr. Diet Fibre. 2015;6(1):31–36. doi : 10.1016/j.bcdf.2015.06.004.
28. USHIDA K., HATANAKA H., INOUE R., TSUKAHARA T., PHILLIPS G.O. Effect of long term ingestion of gum arabic on the adipose tissues of female mice. Food Hydrocoll. 2011;25(5):1344–1349. doi : 10.1016/j.foodhyd.2010.12.010
29. DREW B.G., RYE K.A., DUFFY S.J., BARTER P., KINGWELL B.A., The emerging role of HDL in glucose metabolism. Nat. Rev. Endocrinol. 2012;8(4):237–245. doi : 10.1038/nrendo.2011.235.
30. OUWEHAND A.C., TIIHONEN K., SAARINEN M., PUTAALA H., RAUTONEN N., 2009. Influence of a combination of Lactobacillus acidophilus NCFM and lactitol on healthy elderly : intestinal and immune parameters. Br. J. Nutr. 101:367–375.
31. RUSSELL D.A., ROSS R.P., FITZGERALD G.F., STANTON C., 2011. Metabolic activities and probiotic potential of bifidobacteria. Int. J. Food Microbiol. 149:88–105.
32. DEANS J.D., DIAGNE O., LINDLEY D.K., DIONE M., PARKINSON J.A., 1999. Nutrient and organic-matter accumulation in Acacia senegal fallows over 18 years. Forest Ecology and Management 124 :153-167.
33. DOMMERGUES Y., 1993. L’atelier sur les symbioses acacias. Bois et Forêts des Tropiques, 238 : 21-34.
34. GIFFART P.L., 1965. Étude des possibilités du Tchad en gomme arabique. Ministère de la Coopération, Paris, France, 98 p.
35. CHERBUT C., MICHEL C., RAISON V., KRAVTCHENKO T., SEVERINE M., Acacia gum is a bifidogenic dietary fibre with high digestive tolerance in healthy humans, Microbial Ecology in Health and Disease, 15: 43 -50, (2003).
36. BARAY S., Chapter 7: Acacia Gum, Section I:Soluble Fibers, In: Fiber Ingredients: Food Applications and Health Benefits, (Edited by Cho S.S., Samuel P.). CRC Press,Taylor & Francis group, 121-131 (2009)
37. Babiker R, Merghani TH, Elmusharaf K, Badi RM, Lang F, Saeed AM. 2012. Effects of gum Arabic ingestion on body mass index and body fat percentage in healthy adult females: two-arm randomized, placebo controlled, double-blind trial. Nutr J. 201211:111
| Daily dose: 2 scoops Number of doses per pack: 20 |
Amount |
| Fibregum™ (organically-produced acacia gum) | 5 g |
| Fibregum™, Nexira, France. | |
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