Crustaceans, insects and mushrooms are rich sources of the dietary fiber chitin, which activates the immune system and benefits metabolism, according to a new study in mice.
Who can forget the stomach-churning moments when"Survivor" contestants forced down crunchy insects, among other unappetizing edibles, for a chance to win $1 million? In daring culinary challenges, the TV show's contestants exhibited gastronomic bravery as viewers watched in discomfort.
The researchers, led by Steven Van Dyken, PhD, an assistant professor of pathology & immunology, found in mice that digesting chitin, an abundant dietary fiber in insect exoskeletons and also mushrooms and crustacean shells, engages the immune system. An active immune response was linked to less weight gain, reduced body fat and a resistance to obesity.
Do-Hyun Kim, PhD, a postdoctoral research associate and first author on the study, performed the experiments in germ-free mice lacking intestinal bacteria. His results show that chitin activates immune responses in the absence of bacteria."We think chitin digestion mainly relies on the host's own chitinases," Van Dyken said."The stomach cells change their enzymatic output through a process we refer to as adaptation.
If the mice could break down chitin, they still benefited metabolically, but they adapted by overproducing chitinases to extract nutrients from chitin.
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