Prebiotics at work: Amway on how phytonutrients-gut interactions could produce good metabolites

Amway is known for its phytonutrients offerings via the brand Nutrilite which is celebrating its 90^th​ anniversary this year. 

Dr. Rema Vazhappilly, principal scientist at Amway, gave several examples on how phytonutrients could interact with the gut in producing beneficial metabolites during her presentation topic "Harnessing the power of botanicals and microbiome for a healthy and active lifestyle".

She was speaking at the Growth Asia Summit held in Singapore’s Marina Bay Sands between July 16 and 18. Asha Gupta, regional president, Asia and Chief Strategy & Corporate Development Officer, Amway also gave an opening session​ which looks into categories of interest to the company.

During her presentation, Dr. Vazhappilly spoke about how the gut microbiome was crucial to health and wellbeing.

Gut dysbiosis, for example, is linked to a host of diseases, such as metabolic problems, dermatitis, and even cancer.

“The proper balance of the gut microbiome has been known to produce a lot of health benefits, such as an increase in short-chain fatty acids (SCFA),” ​she said, adding how these SCFAs could have antioxidative benefits and could decrease pathogenic colonisation.

Phytonutrients, in this case, could positively affect the microbiome as they act as a source of prebiotics from its dietary fibre content, she said.  

These prebiotics become a source of food for the gut microbiome to produce beneficial metabolites that could produce positive health outcomes.  

An example is how chlorogenic acid from coffee can be converted to caffeic acid when it is broken down by Bifidobacterium​ and lactobacillus ​in the gut. Studies have shown the anti-carcinogenic and anti-oxidative properties​ of caffeic acid.

Another example is how rutin, a naturally occurring flavonoid present in buckwheat, cherries, and apricots, can be converted to quercetin 3-o-glucoside (D) by Bacteroides ​present in the gut.

Some of the functions of quercetin 3-o-glucoside (D) include acting as a bone density conservation agent, an antioxidant, a histamine antagonist, and a geroprotector.

Benefits by inducing mild oxidative stress ​

Aside from interactions with the gut microbiome, phytonutrients can also produce health benefits by inducing mild oxidative stress, said Dr. Vazhappilly.

“These phynutrients can induce mild oxidative stress and generate adaptive immune responses, which can be beneficial to health,” ​she said, adding how this could be achieved through dietary hormetins – compounds that induce stress response.  

“Phytonutrients can prime the gut to be more resilient through dietary hormetins,”​ she added.

Some examples of Amway’s phytonutrient products include Memory Builder, which contains cistanche to improve memory, focus, and recall, and Garlic Heart Care that contains garlic powder and peppermint for supporting the cardiovascular system.

While the company has developed supplements that serve as a source of macronutrients, micronutrients, microbiome nutrition, and phytonutrients, lifestyle changes are also a key part of health and wellbeing, said Dr. Vazhappilly.