Carbohydrate-Rich Dietary Fiber, Gut Health and Systemic Inflammation

Abstract

Chronic low-grade systemic inflammation (CLGSI) is a fundamental pathophysiological driver of a spectrum of metabolic dysfunctions, including obesity, insulin resistance, and type 2 diabetes. A key instigator of this inflammatory state is a compromised intestinal epithelial barrier, often characterized by increased paracellular permeability. This "leaky gut" phenotype facilitates the translocation of microbial-derived products, such as lipopolysaccharides (LPS), from the intestinal lumen into systemic circulation, a phenomenon termed metabolic endotoxemia. From a carbohydrate chemistry perspective, dietary fiber comprises a diverse class of non-digestible polysaccharides and oligosaccharides, with varying degrees of polymerization and glycosidic linkages that resist enzymatic hydrolysis in the human small intestine. These complex carbohydrates serve as a crucial substrate for colonic microbial fermentation. This hypothetical research article elucidates the intricate relationship between the chemical structure of dietary fibers, their metabolic fate in the gut, and their physiological impact on gut barrier integrity and systemic inflammation. A simulated randomized controlled trial is proposed to investigate the effects of a high-fiber dietary intervention, rich in fermentable polysaccharides, on gut barrier function. We hypothesize that the microbial fermentation of these carbohydrates yields beneficial short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs)—primarily acetate, propionate, and butyrate—which act as signaling molecules and energy substrates for colonocytes. This process is posited to enhance the expression of tight junction proteins (e.g., zonulin-1, occludin) and reduce systemic LPS levels, thereby mitigating CLGSI. The findings of this study are discussed in the context of sustainable metabolic health management, highlighting how a diet rich in complex, non-digestible carbohydrates can concurrently improve human well-being and contribute to environmental sustainability. This framework underscores the therapeutic potential of carbohydrate-based dietary interventions in the amelioration of chronic inflammatory diseases.