Fagomine is a compound naturally found in foods such as buckwheat. Fagomine is a compound naturally found in foods such as buckwheat. Scientists have observed that fagomine prevents weight gain and high blood glucose levels caused by excessive dietary fat intake.
They have also observed that this molecule reduces the inflammatory state associated with high-fat diets, and that this effect could be explained because fagomine helps to maintain a well balanced gut microbiota.
The work, led by Sara Ramos-Romero, a researcher at the Institute of Advanced Chemistry of Catalonia of the CSIC, was recently on the cover of the journal Molecular Nutrition and Food Research.
The experiment was carried out with mice. Divided into three groups, a group of animals was fed on a standard diet, a second group received a high-fat diet, and a third group received a high-fat diet with a fagomine supplement.
Among other variables, levels of insulin, glucose, glucose tolerance and inflammation markers were measured. The faecal microbiota was also analyzed.
It delays the onset of prediabetes
The results show that fagomine reduces glucose tolerance, as well as markers of inflammation and changes in the Enterobacteriaceae and Bifidobacteria populations in the gut. Contrarily to animals fed on a standard diet, animals fed on a high-fat diet developed prediabetes. It happened the same with mice fed on a high-fat diet and a fagomine supplement but they didn’t develop prediabetes as quickly: they were always, as scientists say, "one step behind" in the development of risk factors and they did not gain as much weight as the second group.
"We think this anti-inflammatory effect can be explained because fagomine maintains a well-balanced intestinal microbiota"
"Fagomine delays the development of prediabetes by reducing inflammation," explains Sara Ramos-Romero. "We think this anti-inflammatory effect can be explained because fagomine counteracts changes in the populations of some enterobacteria and bifidobacteria which are induced by a high-fat diet. As a consequence, fagomine maintains a balanced intestinal microbiota".
Previous studies had demonstrated that fagomine has beneficial effects on glucose levels immediately after eating. Now, this study shows that fagomine is effective in the long term prevention of type 2 diabetes risk factors triggered by the excessive consumption of fat.
Functional Effects of the Buckwheat Iminosugar D‐Fagomine on Rats with Diet‐Induced Prediabetes. Sara Ramos‐Romero, Mercè Hereu, Lidia Atienza , Josefina Casas, Núria Taltavull, Marta Romeu, Susana Amézqueta, Gabriel Dasilva, Isabel Medina, Josep L. Torres. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/toc/16134133/2018/62/16