Industrialised animal feed, free amino acids and intestinal flora

PFTS, animal feed and intestinal flora: what modern animal nutrition shows

PFTS, written out Peri-weaning failure-to-thrive syndrome, describes a growth and weakness syndrome in piglets around the weaning phase. In the specialist literature, it is considered in connection with feed intake, intestinal health, mucosal development, immune system, energy supply and metabolic processes.

This topic is not of interest to consumers because PFTS could be directly transferred to humans. Much more exciting is the wider context: modern animal feed shows how closely Animal feed, Intestinal flora, free amino acids, Glyphosate, Tryptophan, Niacin, Nicotinamide, NAD+ and energy processes are discussed with each other.

This means that the topic also fits into a larger consideration of healthy nutrition, conscious nutrition, Digestion, Dietary fibre and food quality.

What is PFTS?

The Peri-weaning failure-to-thrive syndrome occurs in piglets around the weaning phase. In affected herds, individual animals may show a loss of appetite, reduced growth, weakness, refusal to feed and severe debilitation.

Various possible factors are discussed in the specialist literature. These include feeding, intestinal development, mucosal changes, immune reactions, energy supply, mitochondrial function and general metabolic processes.

It is important to categorise it objectively: PFTS is a veterinary issue. It should not be applied directly to humans. Nevertheless, it can help to better understand the fundamental relationships between nutrition, intestinal flora, amino acids and micronutrients.

What changes are described in PFTS?

Various changes in affected piglets are described in the specialist literature. These include abnormalities in the stomach and intestinal mucosa, mucosal atrophy, altered feed intake, weakening of the general condition and indications of impaired energy processes.

Thymus atrophy, altered mucosal barriers or inflammation-related processes are also discussed in connection with PFTS. Such observations show how closely the intestine, immune system, feed intake and energy supply can be linked.

No direct conclusion can be drawn from this for healthy nutrition in everyday human life. However, it shows why the topics Intestinal flora, Digestion, Protein quality, Dietary fibre and micronutrients should always be considered together.

Intestines, mucous membranes and energy supply

The intestine is not only responsible for digestion. It is also an important contact surface between food, microorganisms, mucous membranes and the immune system.

If the feed or nutritional quality is unfavourable, the entire intestinal environment can change. Not only individual nutrients play a role here, but also processing, additives, protein quality, free amino acids, fibre content and microbiome.

Energy processes are also important. Cells need sufficient energy to fulfil their normal functions. In this context, often Mitochondria, NAD+, NADH and the energy metabolism.

Niacin, nicotinamide and NAD+

Niacin, also known as vitamin B3, includes nicotinic acid and Nicotinamide. These connections are closely related to NAD+ and NADH, two important coenzymes in energy metabolism.

NAD+ is found in many cells and is involved in important redox processes. It plays a role in energy production from nutrients, including in connection with glycolysis, the citrate cycle and the mitochondrial respiratory chain.

The following is important for a legally safe classification: Niacin contributes to normal energy metabolism, to the normal function of the nervous system, to the reduction of tiredness and fatigue and to the maintenance of normal mucous membranes.

These authorised statements show why niacin and nicotinamide are interesting for nutritional concepts relating to energy, mucous membranes and metabolism.

Tryptophan as a precursor of niacin

Tryptophan is an essential amino acid. The body cannot produce it itself and is dependent on dietary intake.

Tryptophan can be synthesised in the body via the so-called Kynureninweg are further processed. This metabolic pathway is associated with the formation of niacin compounds and NAD+.

The intestinal flora is also considered in connection with tryptophan metabolism. Certain microorganisms can be involved in the conversion or provision of various metabolic products. However, many factors are decisive: diet, microbiome, protein quality, dietary fibre, micronutrient status and individual starting position.

Kynurenine pathway, IDO and amino acids

The Kynureninweg is an important metabolic pathway through which tryptophan can be further processed. An early step in this pathway is associated with the enzyme indoleamine-2,3-dioxygenase, or IDO for short.

In research, connections between tryptophan, immune processes, nitric oxide, amino acid availability and micronutrient status are discussed.

Such biochemical relationships are complex. They should therefore not be understood as a simple cause-and-effect chain. For the daily diet, it is particularly important to consider not just individual amino acids in isolation, but the entire dietary pattern.

Free amino acids in modern animal feed

In modern animal feed, free amino acids such as lysine, methionine, threonine or tryptophan are used to supplement the amino acid profile of the feed in a targeted manner.

This can be useful from the point of view of the animal feed industry because formulations can be controlled more precisely. At the same time, an isolated free amino acid differs from amino acids that are bound in natural complete proteins.

This is precisely why free amino acids increasingly considered in the context of animal feed, digestion, intestinal flora, biogenic amines and modern food production.

You can also find out more in the article about Free amino acids in food and animal feed.

Lysine, arginine and nitric oxide

Lysine and Arginine both belong to the basic amino acids. In nutritional physiology, it is often discussed that individual amino acids can affect similar transport or metabolic pathways.

In the body, arginine is associated with the formation of nitric oxide, or NO for short. NO is a signalling molecule and plays a role in various physiological processes.

If individual free amino acids are isolated and consumed in higher quantities, the ratio to other amino acids can therefore be interesting. This does not automatically mean that free amino acids are problematic. The decisive factors are quantity, combination, food quality and the overall dietary pattern.

You can find out more about the Fulvicherb connection in the article on the Fulvic acid-arginine complex.

Glyphosate, GMO feed and intestinal flora

Glyphosate is an herbicide used worldwide. It is frequently discussed in connection with modern agriculture, GMO soya, animal feed and residues.

Glyphosate acts in plants via the so-called shikimate pathway. This metabolic pathway occurs in plants, bacteria and some fungi, but not in human cells. Nevertheless, researchers are discussing whether and how glyphosate can play an indirect role via the environment, agriculture, animal feed or the microbiome.

The data situation is complex. Glyphosate should therefore neither be dramatised nor trivialised. Above all, it makes sense for consumers to pay attention to food quality, origin, residues, organic products and food that is processed as little as possible.

Intestinal flora, microbial metabolites and sensitive digestion

The intestinal flora can produce many different metabolic products. Some of these are desirable and are considered in connection with fermentation, short-chain fatty acids and a balanced intestinal environment.

Other microbial metabolites are discussed more in connection with food quality, storage, ripening, sensitive digestion or individual tolerance. These include, for example biogenic amines such as histamine, putrescine or cadaverine.

Terms such as enterotoxins or neurotoxins also appear in scientific contexts. However, it is important for a consumer-orientated classification that not every protein-rich, fermented or animal-based food is automatically problematic. The decisive factors are quantity, freshness, storage, processing, personal tolerance and overall nutritional quality.

You can find out more in the article about Biogenic amines, intestinal flora and digestion.

NAD+ / NADH and energy processes

The relationship between NAD+ and NADH is often considered in connection with glycolysis, the citrate cycle, fatty acid oxidation and mitochondrial energy production.

Put simply, NAD+ and NADH help to utilise energy from nutrients for cellular processes. ATP also plays a central role in this context because it is regarded as an energy carrier in cells.

These processes do not just depend on a single nutrient. They are influenced by many factors: diet, micronutrient status, oxygen supply, exercise, sleep, intestinal flora, liver metabolism and general lifestyle.

What does this mean for a healthy diet?

The topic of PFTS shows one thing above all: nutrition, intestinal flora, amino acids, micronutrients and energy processes should not be considered in isolation.

For a healthy nutrition It is not just a single nutrient that is decisive, but the entire Nutritional quality. This includes natural foods, high-quality protein sources, sufficient fibre, a good fluid intake and as few highly processed products as possible.

It is worth taking a closer look at the origin, processing and list of ingredients, especially when it comes to highly processed foods, industrial animal feed, GMO raw materials, free amino acids and additives.

What does this mean for digestion, intestinal flora and dietary fibre?

For the Digestion not only protein plays a role. The opposite pole is also important: Dietary fibre. They fit in with a fibre-conscious diet and are often considered in connection with intestinal flora, fermentation and a balanced nutritional environment.

Especially Prebiotic dietary fibres like Inulin and pectin are interesting for people who want to organise their diet more consciously. Also Pure apple fibre can be useful for people who want to take a more natural approach to their fibre intake.

A fibre-conscious diet should be built up slowly. If you have a sensitive digestive system, it makes sense to gradually increase the amount and drink enough.

Fulvicherb Synergy in connection with intestinal flora and nutrition

Fulvicherb Synergy combines fulvic acid, arginine, inulin, pectin, niacinamide, natural unrefined rock salt, sunflower lecithin and selected herbs in a liquid formula.

The recipe is suitable for people who are concerned with intestinal flora, digestion, dietary fibre, amino acids, niacinamide and healthy nutrition and who want to consciously supplement their diet.

Niacin contributes to normal energy metabolism, to the normal function of the nervous system, to the reduction of tiredness and fatigue and to the maintenance of normal mucous membranes.

How can you organise your diet more consciously?

You don't need to know every biochemical detail to make better decisions. Simple principles often help to ensure a conscious and healthy diet:

• As little highly processed food as possible
• More natural foods and fresh ingredients
• Sufficient fibre from various sources
• Conscious selection of protein sources
• Fewer products with long lists of ingredients
• Favour organic or transparent origin, if possible
• Pay attention to individual compatibility
• Sufficient fluids with a high-fibre diet

Frequently asked questions about PFTS, animal feed, intestinal flora and niacin

What does PFTS mean?

PFTS stands for peri-weaning failure-to-thrive syndrome. It describes a growth and weakness syndrome in piglets around the weaning phase.

Is PFTS transmissible to humans?

No. PFTS is a veterinary topic. For humans, it is particularly interesting as an example of how closely feeding, intestinal flora, mucous membranes, amino acids and energy processes can be linked.

What role does the intestinal flora play?

Intestinal flora is often considered in the context of digestion, fermentation, micronutrients, mucous membranes and metabolic products. The entire nutritional environment is crucial.

What do tryptophan and niacin have to do with each other?

Tryptophan can be further processed in the body via the kynurenine pathway. This metabolic pathway is associated with niacin, nicotinamide and NAD+.

What is NAD+?

NAD+ is a coenzyme that is involved in important metabolic processes. It is often considered in connection with energy production, cell metabolism and mitochondria.

What do free amino acids have to do with animal feed?

Free amino acids such as lysine, methionine or threonine are used in modern animal feed to supplement the amino acid profile of feedstuffs in a targeted manner.

Why is glyphosate being discussed in this context?

Glyphosate is often discussed in connection with modern agriculture, GMO feed, residues and the microbiome. The assessment is complex and depends on the dose, exposure, diet and study situation.

What role does fibre play?

Dietary fibres are an important part of a healthy diet. Prebiotic fibres in particular, such as inulin and pectin, are often considered in connection with intestinal flora, fermentation and digestion.

Conclusion: PFTS as an example of complex nutritional relationships

PFTS is a specialised veterinary topic. Nevertheless, it shows how closely feed quality, intestinal flora, mucous membranes, free amino acids, tryptophan, niacin, nicotinamide, NAD+ and energy processes are interlinked.

For human nutrition, one cautious but sensible conclusion is particularly important: it is not individual substances alone that determine nutritional quality, but the interplay of natural foods, protein quality, fibre, micronutrients, intestinal flora and processing.

If you want to be more conscious about your diet, you should make sure you eat fresh food, have enough fibre, are well tolerated and eat as few highly processed products as possible. Fulvicherb Synergy as a liquid formula with fulvic acid, arginine, inulin, pectin, niacinamide and herbs can fit naturally into a conscious nutritional concept.