Question 1

What causes Inulin Failure? n

Accepted Answer

I am not sure why inulin failure occurs. Still, I speculate that a different species of bacteria that is unresponsive to the prebiotic effects of inulin now inhabits the small intestine.   nAs children age, the inulin becomes less and less effective at controlling bacterial overgrowth. I believe this is due to the natural maturation of the intestinal bacteria as children mature into adulthood. We are not just trying to suppress “gut bacteria” as a singular entity; we need to suppress and balance over a thousand distinct species within the large intestine, all of which have unique characteristics.nThe species of bacteria that tend to overgrow in the small intestine of a younger child (let us call them species A) may tend to be more sensitive to the prebiotic effects of inulin.  As a result, inulin is more effective in younger children.

Question 2

What causes Inulin Failure? n

Accepted Answer

I am not sure why inulin failure occurs. Still, I speculate that a different species of bacteria that is unresponsive to the prebiotic effects of inulin now inhabits the small intestine.   nAs children age, the inulin becomes less and less effective at controlling bacterial overgrowth. I believe this is due to the natural maturation of the intestinal bacteria as children mature into adulthood. We are not just trying to suppress “gut bacteria” as a singular entity; we need to suppress and balance over a thousand distinct species within the large intestine, all of which have unique characteristics.nThe species of bacteria that tend to overgrow in the small intestine of a younger child (let us call them species A) may tend to be more sensitive to the prebiotic effects of inulin.  As a result, inulin is more effective in younger children.