Micronutrients & recovery
The presence of the keystone bacterium Ruminococcus bromii is required for the efficient fermentation of resistant starch (specifically RS3) in the human colon; its absence leads to significantly reduced energy recovery from this dietary component.
If you eat resistant starch (like cooled potatoes or high-amylose corn) and don't see the expected gut health or energy benefits, it might be because you lack specific bacteria like Ruminococcus bromii. This bacterium acts as a 'keystone' to break down this starch for your body. While you can't easily buy this specific bacteria as a supplement yet, maintaining a diverse diet high in fibers may support its presence. If you suspect you are a 'low responder' to resistant starch, this microbial factor is a likely biological cause.
This argues strongly that R. bromii has a pivotal role in fermentation of RS3 in the human large intestine, and that variation in the occurrence of this species and its close relatives may be a primary cause of variable energy recovery from this important component of the diet.
Why this rating
Strong in vitro and ex vivo evidence using human fecal inocula and defined co-cultures, though not a direct long-term human clinical trial.
Source
<i>Ruminococcus bromii</i> is a keystone species for the degradation of resistant starch in the human colon
Xiaolei Ze et al. · The ISME Journal · 2012
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