Your microbiome creates many signals which influence the function and health of your body. Methane gas is a type of signal produced by a type of microbe species called methanogens when they consume their needed fuel sources. This species is only present in about 32% of people’s microbiome. Your gut microbiome is all the different types of gut microbe species living in your gut.
Methanogen species have a beneficial effect on your gut microbiome. When prebiotic fibre or the food your good bacteria need to stay alive is broken down, the microbes in your gut produce signals called short chain fatty acids as well as hydrogen. If the hydrogen levels in your gut are not broken down, they can build up and inhibit the other types of gut microbes in your gut from functioning.
The methanogen strain use hydrogen and as a result help the good bacteria in your gut to maintain regular function and production of their health promoting signals including short chain fatty acids. This helps to keep your gut and body healthy.
Methane also helps your body by stimulating the release of GLP-1. GLP-1 is a hormone which helps to control your blood glucose to be within a healthy range by stimulating the production of insulin. Reduced levels of methanogen strains in a gut microbiome have been shown to increase your fat stores around your organs and promote insulin resistance. However, excessively elevated levels of methanogens species are also seen in people with constipation and in diverticulosis.
Fibre plays an important role in regulating your gut transit time. If you have elevated levels of methanogen species in your gut microbiome the type of fibre may play an important role in determining whether the effect on your gut and health is positive of negative.
Inulin, a type of soluble fibre may increase the activity of methanogens and is associated with positive health outcomes while other types of soluble fibre like partially hydrolysed guar gum and beta-glucan do not.
Take home message: Including a large variety of plant-based foods in your diet will ensure your body receives a range of different fibres which are essential for your health. This research shows the importance of including the type of soluble fibre called inulin as a part of a healthy and balanced diet. To promote healthy gut function and overall health.
References:
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4.Bin Waqar S, Rehan A. Methane and Constipation-predominant Irritable Bowel Syndrome: Entwining Pillars of Emerging Neurogastroenterology. Cureus. 2019; 11(5): e4764. doi:10.7759/cureus.4764
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