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Isomaltooligosaccharides

Synonym: IMO

What are isomalto-oligosaccharides (IMO)?

Isomalto-oligosaccharides (IMO) is the collective term for a mixture of oligosaccharides such as isomaltulose, panose, isomaltotriose and isomaltotetraose. Commercial isomalto-oligosaccharide powders typically differ in composition. Some isomalto-oligosaccharide powders can contain up to 40% disaccharides plus substantial amounts of maltose and glucose1-3. Isomalto-oligosaccharides are characterized by an a-(1→6) and an a-(1→4) bond, both of which are broken at a much slower rate than the a-(1→2) bonds found in sugars. This slower rate of bond breaking is responsible for the characterization of isomalto-oligosaccharides as prebiotics (i.e. dietary fibres).

Where do isomalto-oligosaccharides come from?

Isomalto-oligosaccharides are commercially produced from maltodextrins (which in turn are produced from starch), but also occur naturally in Japanese fermented foods such as miso, soy sauce and sako.

Benefits of isomalto-oligosaccharides

Since isomalto-oligosaccharides resist digestion in the small intestine, most of their benefits are related to their ability to behave similarly to dietary fiber.

Constipation

A placebo-controlled study4 conducted with elderly men suffering from severe constipation, in which the subjects' diet was controlled, concluded that administration of 10 grams of isomalto-oligosaccharides for 4 weeks improved the frequency of bowel movements. In another study of longer duration (8 weeks), isomalto-oligosaccharide supplementation improved the intestinal flora profile and bowel movements in a time-dependent manner in elderly people with an average age of 82.5 years who were on a low-fiber diet3.

Bifidogens & short-chain fatty acids

Several studies suggest that isomalto-oligosaccharides have bifidogenic properties5-7, meaning that they increase the amount of beneficial bifidobacteria. Short-chain fatty acids are generally considered to be beneficial metabolites of intestinal flora and several human studies have observed an increase in short-chain fatty acid concentrations after consumption of up to 10 grams of isomalto-oligosaccharides per day3, 4.

Safety and side effects of isomalto-oligosaccharides

Isomalto-oligosaccharides have very minimal side effects as they are very well tolerated even when taken in high doses, unlike other popular non-digestible oligosaccharides such as inulin, fructo-oligosaccharides and galacto-oligosaccharides2.

Isomalto-oligosaccharides recommended intake and timing of intake

Most studies have used 10 grams of isomalto-oligosaccharides per day, but doses of up to 20 grams per day are not uncommon and do not increase the risk of side effects such as flatulence.

Isomalto-oligosaccharide supplements

Supplements containing only isomalto-oligosaccharides are hard to find, but isomalto-oligosaccharides are becoming increasingly popular as a primary ingredient in protein bars. The timing of consumption is not thought to affect the efficacy and effects of isomalto-oligosaccharides, so the timing of consumption is up to the user.

Combinations of Isomalto-oligosaccharides with other supplements

As a prebiotic substance, isomalto-oligosaccharides can be combined with almost any type of supplement.

References

  1. Kohmoto T, et al. Metabolism of 13C-isomalto-oligosaccharides in healthy men. Biosci Biotechnol Biochem. 1992;56:937-940.
  2. Kaneko T, et al. Effects of isomaltooligosaccharides with different degrees of polymerization on human fecal bifidobacteria. Biosci Biotechnol Biochem. 1994;58:2288-2290.
  3. Yen CH, et al. Long-term supplementation of isomalto-oligosaccharides improved colonic microflora profile, bowel function, and blood cholesterol levels in constipated elderly people--a placebo-controlled, diet-controlled trial. Nutrition. 2011;27(4):445-50.
  4. Chen H-L, Lu YH, Lin JJ, Ko LY. Effects of isomalto-oligosaccharides on bowel functions and indicators of nutritional status in constipated elderly men. J Am Coll Nutr 2001;20:44-9.
  5. Kohmoto T, et al. Dose-response test of isomaltooligosaccharides for increasing fecal bifidobacteria. Agric Biol Chem. 1991;55: 2157-2159.
  6. Kohmoto T, et al. Metabolism of 13C-isomaltooligosaccharides in healthy men. Biosci Biotechnol Biochem. 1992;56:937-940.
  7. Kohomto T, et al. Effect of isomalto-oligosaccharides on human fecal flora. Bifidobacteria Microflora. 1988;7:61-69.