International Journal of Molecular Medical Science, 2025, Vol.15, No.2, 98-106 http://medscipublisher.com/index.php/ijmms 104 8 Future Research Directions 8.1 Development of personalized compound dietary fiber preparations The development of compound dietary fiber formulas tailored to individual needs is a key direction for the future. By combining information such as genes, phenotypes and lifestyles, personalized nutritional intervention can enhance the effect of fiber. Current research shows that soluble and insoluble fibers have different effects on the microbiota and metabolism (Zhai et al., 2018; Zhang et al., 2023). After analyzing individual responses, a fiber combination suitable for each person can be designed to improve intestinal health and metabolic indicators. Personalized fiber formulas can also adjust the microbiota for specific health issues. For example, certain fibers can increase bifidobacteria and Lactobacillus, and these probiotics are associated with improved intestinal health and reduced inflammation (So et al., 2018; Liu et al., 2020). Future studies should identify the most suitable fiber types and proportions for different populations in order to conduct more precise dietary interventions for obesity, diabetes, inflammatory bowel disease, etc. (Cronin et al., 2021; Tian et al., 2023). 8.2 Research on the synergistic effects of dietary fiber and other nutrients Studying the combination of dietary fiber and nutrients such as probiotics is another important direction. Existing studies have shown that the combination of fiber and probiotics can promote the reproduction of beneficial bacteria and improve the intestinal barrier (Lin et al., 2020; Liu et al., 2021). Fiber, as a prebiotic, provides substrates for probiotics and increases the generation of SCFAs and other beneficial metabolites (Liu et al., 2020; Vinelli et al., 2022). The optimal ratio and dosage of fiber and probiotics should be further determined to achieve the best synergistic effect. This includes studying the supportive effects of different fibers on specific strains, as well as how they alter the microbiota structure and host health. These studies are expected to give rise to new types of functional foods and supplements, bringing better health effects through the shared use of fiber and probiotics (Zhai et al., 2018; Liu et al., 2021). 8.3 Long-term tracking of dietary intervention and changes in intestinal flora Long-term tracking of the impact of dietary fiber intervention on the microbiota is crucial for understanding the health benefits of fiber. At present, most of them are short-term studies, but long-term longitudinal observations need to be carried out (So et al., 2018; Vinelli et al., 2022). Such studies can reveal the lasting benefits of fiber intake and its role in the prevention of chronic diseases. Long-term studies can also evaluate the stability and adaptability of the microbiota to continuous fiber intake. Understanding the response of the microbiota to long-term dietary changes provides a basis for designing dietary plans that can maintain long-term intestinal health. Meanwhile, these studies can also investigate the effect of fiber in restoring balance in patients with dysbiosis, which is helpful for the prevention and management of related diseases (Cronin et al., 2021; Li et al., 2023; Zhang, 2024). 9 Concluding Remarks Compound dietary fiber is composed of soluble and insoluble fibers and has a significant regulatory effect on the intestinal flora. Studies have shown that different ratios of soluble dietary fiber (SDF) to insoluble dietary fiber (IDF) can alter the quantity of certain bacterial genera and the yield of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), such as acetic acid, propionic acid, and butyric acid. For example, increasing the proportion of SDF can increase the quantity of Akkermansia and enhance the production of acetic acid and propionic acid; However, increasing the proportion of IDF will lead to an increase in partuberculous bacteria and Prevos. In addition, fiber intervention can also increase probiotics such as BifidobacteriumandLactobacillus, which are very important for intestinal health. Adjusting the ratio of soluble and insoluble fibers is the key to influencing the microbiota. Different ratios of SDF/IDF will lead to different microbiota structures and metabolic reactions. For example, a high proportion of SDF is associated with active glycerol phospholipid metabolism, while a high proportion of IDF affects the tricarboxylic acid cycle. The combination of bacterial cellulose and fibers such as konjac glucomannan can also
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