269 | id == 269
269 | category_id == 16
269 | category_order == 13
269 | category_name == Gut Health
269 | category_color == #C47AC0
269 | slug == FUT2-secretor-status
269 | title == A Gene That Can Impact Gut Health (FUT2)
269 | meta_description == Variants of FUT2 are associated with gut health. Learn more here.
269 | summary == <p style="text-align:justify"><strong>The FUT2 gene is involved in the production of molecules that are released into the gut. Read more to learn how FUT2 variants can influence your gut health.</strong></p>
269 | overall_score_text == Your “Secretor Status” (Based on FUT2 Gene)
269 | image == https://sd-selfdecode-assets-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/blog/background/FUT2--Foods.jpg
269 | author_id == 14
269 | author_name == Shany Lahan
269 | author_title == MS (Neuroscience)
269 | author_order == 5
269 | author_photo == https://sd-selfdecode-assets-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/blog/author-photo/Shany.webp
269 | author_intro == <p>Shany received her MSc in Neuroscience from Western University.</p>    <p>Prior to joining SelfDecode, Shany conducted research related to Alzheimer&rsquo;s disease, and taught science to undergraduate students. She believes that research should be accessible to everyone, regardless of scientific background. Shany joined SelfDecode&nbsp;with a mission to help others optimize their health and wellbeing &ndash; as well as help them understand the science behind it all.</p>
269 | reviewer_id == 4
269 | reviewer_name == Matt Carland
269 | reviewer_title == PhD
269 | medical_reviewer_id == 11
269 | medical_reviewer_name == Puya Yazdi
269 | medical_reviewer_title == MD
269 | publish_date == 2020
269 | publish_date == 8
269 | publish_date == 13
269 | avg_rating == 5.0
269 | tags_id == 608
269 | tags_name == ABO Antigens
269 | tags_id == 213
269 | tags_name == Celiac Disease
269 | tags_id == 195
269 | tags_name == Crohn's Disease
269 | tags_id == 259
269 | tags_name == FUT2 gene
269 | tags_id == 194
269 | tags_name == Gut Health
269 | tags_id == 454
269 | tags_name == Gut Microbiome
269 | tags_id == 246
269 | tags_name == Probiotics
269 | tags_id == 609
269 | tags_name == Secretor Status
269 | tags_id == 294
269 | tags_name == Vitamin B12
269 | permissions_favorite == False
269 | permissions_rate == False
269 | content_article == <p style="text-align: justify;"><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">If you have any serious health concerns related to possible digestive issues, it is important to discuss these concerns with your doctor. The information in this post is presented for educational purposes only, and should not be used to replace standard medical care.</span></em></p> <h2 style="text-align: justify;"><strong>What is </strong><strong><em>FUT2</em></strong><strong>?</strong></h2> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">The </span><a href="../../gene/fut2/"><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">FUT2 </span></em><span style="font-weight: 400;">gene</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> encodes an enzyme named galactoside 2-alpha-L-fucosyltransferase 2. This enzyme is involved in the production of ABO blood group antigens that are released (secreted) into saliva, mucus, and other fluids of the gut [</span><a href="https://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/gene/FUT2"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">ABO blood group antigens are molecules found on the surfaces of </span><a href="https://selfhacked.com/blog/increase-decrease-red-blood-cells/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">red blood cells</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">. The type of ABO antigen that is found on these red blood cells helps to characterize blood. For example, B antigen is found on the surface of red blood cells in individuals with type B blood [</span><a href="https://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/gene/FUT2"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Although ABO blood group antigens are more commonly associated with blood type, ABO antigens are also found in the gut, where they can play a major role in gut health [</span><a href="https://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/gene/FUT2"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].&nbsp;</span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Depending on their ability or inability to secrete ABO blood group antigens into gut fluids, carriers of </span><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">FUT2 </span></em><span style="font-weight: 400;">variants are categorized respectively as &ldquo;secretors&rdquo; or &ldquo;non-secretors&rdquo; (&ldquo;secretor status&rdquo;) [</span><a href="https://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/gene/FUT2"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].&nbsp;&nbsp;</span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: #e8ebfc; border-left: 2px solid #4569fa; display: block; padding: 20px;">The <em>FUT2 </em>gene encodes an enzyme that is necessary for producing molecules that are released (secreted) into fluids of the gut. Carriers of <em>FUT2 </em>variants are known as &ldquo;secretors&rdquo; or &ldquo;non-secretors,&rdquo; depending on whether their encoded enzyme has the ability to release these molecules.</span></p> <h2 style="text-align: justify;"><strong><em>FUT2 </em></strong><strong>and Gut Health</strong></h2> <h3 style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Gut Bacteria</strong></h3> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">The gut is home to trillions of microscopic organisms that help to maintain gut health. The majority of these microscopic organisms are bacteria [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4420145/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].&nbsp;</span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Among other beneficial actions, gut bacteria can help to digest nutrients after eating food, as well as form a barrier in the gut that protects against some infections [</span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12692541/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3983973/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].&nbsp;</span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: #e8ebfc; border-left: 2px solid #4569fa; display: block; padding: 20px;">The gut contains trillions of beneficial bacteria that are essential to maintaining gut health.&nbsp;</span></p> <h3 style="text-align: justify;"><strong><em>FUT2 </em></strong><strong>&amp; Gut Bacteria&nbsp;</strong></h3> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">The composition of bacteria in the gut differs greatly when comparing non-secretors to secretors. These differences may impact the gut health of those carrying certain </span><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">FUT2 </span></em><span style="font-weight: 400;">polymorphisms, such as rs601338 and rs1047781</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">.&nbsp;</span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">To study this, researchers analyzed the fecal bacteria of human secretors and non-secretors. Bacteria of non-secretors were found to be reduced in both number and diversity, in comparison to secretors. While this might suggest that secretors have &ldquo;healthier guts," the researchers also found that certain strains of bacteria can digest nutrients more effectively in non-secretors than secretors [</span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23990829/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3098274/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">]</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">.&nbsp;</span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Other studies have found similar, seemingly conflicting results. In comparison to secretors, non-secretors have been associated with a higher risk of developing celiac disease, but a lower risk of developing ulcerative colitis. Non-secretors have also been associated with higher </span><a href="https://selfhacked.com/blog/vitamin-b12/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">vitamin B12</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> absorption, in comparison to secretors [</span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23075394/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23201895"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22237057/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].&nbsp;</span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">In addition, while rs601338-A confers protection against the development of Crohn&rsquo;s disease, rs1047781-T confers a greater risk of Crohn&rsquo;s disease development [</span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22068912/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23075394/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2673801/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">In an animal study, a diet high in sugar and low in starch was observed to eliminate the differences in gut bacteria that are usually observed in non-secretors and secretors. This suggests that the effect of </span><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">FUT2 </span></em><span style="font-weight: 400;">variants on gut bacteria is diet-dependent, although human studies are needed to support this claim [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3800993/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].&nbsp;</span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: #e8ebfc; border-left: 2px solid #4569fa; display: block; padding: 20px;"><em>FUT2 </em>gene variants may result in an altered composition of gut bacteria. While some <em>FUT2 </em>variants may place carriers at greater risk of developing certain health issues and diseases related to the gut, these same variants may also provide protection against other gut issues and diseases.&nbsp;</span></p> <h3 style="text-align: justify;"><strong>How This Works</strong></h3> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">The increased risk of celiac disease in non-secretors in comparison to secretors can, in part, be explained by their differing compositions of gut bacteria.&nbsp;</span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">A low amount and diversity of gut bacteria can increase susceptibility to infections of the gut. Gut infections have been suggested to alter the way that the immune system responds to future threats -- a potential early step in the development of celiac disease [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3223430/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23075394/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Poor vitamin B12 absorption in secretors has been linked to infections specifically caused by </span><a href="https://selfhacked.com/blog/h-pylori-part-1/"><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Helicobacter pylori</span></em></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> (</span><a href="https://selfhacked.com/blog/h-pylori-part-1/"><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">H. pylori</span></em></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">) bacteria.&nbsp;</span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">ABO antigens, found in mucus that lines the guts of secretors, can act as attachment sites for both harmful and beneficial bacteria to latch onto. The attachment of harmful bacteria, such as </span><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">H. pylori</span></em><span style="font-weight: 400;">, onto ABO antigens can cause complex inflammatory reactions in the gut lining. These inflammatory reactions can result in breakdown of the gut lining and the formation of stomach ulcers, which ultimately prevent the release of a compound required for vitamin B12 to be absorbed by the intestines [</span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/3819580/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2673801/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: #e8ebfc; border-left: 2px solid #4569fa; display: block; padding: 20px;">Non-secretors are more susceptible to gut infections that can alter future immune system responses, due to their low amount and diversity of gut bacteria. This can place non-secretors at increased risk of developing celiac disease. Secretors are more likely to have gut infections specifically caused by <em>H. pylori</em> bacteria, which can break down the gut lining and ultimately reduce the absorption of vitamin B12.</span></p> <h2 style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Your </span><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">FUT2 </span></em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Results for &ldquo;Secretor Status"</span></h2> <p style="text-align: justify;">*5710627770975509*</p> <h3><span style="font-weight: 400;">SNP Summary and Table</span></h3> <p style="text-align: justify;"><strong><em>FUT2 </em></strong><a href="../../../snp/rs601338/"><strong>rs601338</strong></a></p> <ul style="text-align: justify;"> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">&lsquo;AA&rsquo; = non-secretor</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">&lsquo;AG&rsquo; = secretor</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">&lsquo;GG&rsquo; = secretor</span></li> </ul> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Most individuals (99.2%) of East Asian descent carry the &lsquo;GG&rsquo; (secretor) genotype of this variant [</span><a href="../../../snp/rs601338/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">In Finnish populations, the minor &lsquo;A&rsquo; allele has been associated with a greater risk of developing celiac disease, but may protect against the development of Crohn&rsquo;s disease and ulcerative colitis [</span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23075394/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].&nbsp;&nbsp;</span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">In European and West African populations, the &lsquo;AA&rsquo; (non-secretor) genotype of this variant has been associated with higher vitamin B12 absorption in comparison to secretor genotypes [</span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22237057/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><strong><em>FUT2</em></strong> <a href="../../../snp/rs1047781/"><strong>rs1047781</strong></a></p> <ul style="text-align: justify;"> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">&lsquo;AA&rsquo; = secretor&nbsp;</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">&lsquo;AT&rsquo; = secretor&nbsp;</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">&lsquo;TT&rsquo; = non-secretor&nbsp;</span></li> </ul> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">91% of individuals worldwide carry the major &lsquo;A&rsquo; allele of rs1047781. rs1047781 is closely associated with rs601338 in all individuals but those of Japanese descent. In individuals of Japanese descent, only rs1047781 determines secretor status [</span><a href="../../../snp/rs1047781/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">The minor &lsquo;T&rsquo; allele has been associated with higher vitamin B12 absorption, but a greater risk of developing Crohn&rsquo;s disease. This allele has also been associated with a reduced amount and diversity of gut bacteria [</span><a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2916706/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21625510/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23201895"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].&nbsp;</span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;">*9329482873110637*</p> <h2 style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Recommendations for Improving Gut Health</span></h2> <p style="text-align: justify;"><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">You may try the complementary approaches listed below if you and your doctor determine that they could be appropriate for you. Discuss the strategies listed here with your doctor. Remember that none of them should ever be done in place of what your doctor recommends or prescribes.</span></em></p> <p>*9373897345032782*</p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">As described above, </span><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">FUT2 </span></em><span style="font-weight: 400;">is a complex gene. </span><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">FUT2 </span></em><span style="font-weight: 400;">variants can offer their carriers protection against certain issues and diseases related to the gut, while simultaneously increasing the risk of other gut issues and diseases. Therefore, neither secretors nor non-secretors can be considered to have &ldquo;healthier guts,&rdquo; and recommendations for improving gut health can vary widely, depending on the variant that you carry.&nbsp;</span></p> <h3 style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Vitamin B12</strong></h3> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Vitamin B12 is a nutrient essential for [</span><a href="https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/VitaminB12-HealthProfessional/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">]:</span></p> <ul style="text-align: justify;"> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Production of DNA</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Maintenance of nerves&nbsp;</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Development of red blood cells</span></li> </ul> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Due to their diminished ability to absorb vitamin B12, secretors may benefit from consuming foods rich in this vitamin.&nbsp;</span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Foods rich in vitamin B12 include animal products, such as [</span><a href="https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/VitaminB12-HealthProfessional/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">]:</span></p> <ul style="text-align: justify;"> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Seafood (especially clams, trout and salmon)</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Meat (especially beef liver)</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Eggs</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Milk</span></li> </ul> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Unless fortified, plant-based foods are not rich sources of vitamin B12. Therefore, vegetarians and vegans that are secretors may opt to take vitamin B12 supplements [</span><a href="https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/VitaminB12-HealthProfessional/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Vitamin B12 supplements are available over-the-counter, and their recommended intake varies with age. For example, 2.4 micrograms of vitamin B12 per day is recommended for individuals ages 14 and over [</span><a href="https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/VitaminB12-HealthProfessional/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].&nbsp;</span></p> <h4 style="text-align: justify;"><strong>At-Risk Groups</strong></h4> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Stomach acid helps to absorb vitamin B12. As stomach acid production is reduced in older adults (ages 65 and over), consuming foods rich in vitamin B12 or taking vitamin B12 supplements is a particularly important recommendation for carriers of these secretor variants that are also part of this age group [</span><a href="https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/VitaminB12-HealthProfessional/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].&nbsp;</span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Individuals that are secretors and taking medications that inhibit the release of stomach acid, such as </span><a href="https://www.selfhacked.com/blog/omeprazole/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">omeprazole</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, might be at a similarly increased risk of vitamin B12 deficiency [</span><a href="https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/VitaminB12-HealthProfessional/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: #e8ebfc; border-left: 2px solid #4569fa; display: block; padding: 20px;">Vitamin B12 is an important nutrient that can be found in a number of animal products and is available as a supplement. Secretors -- especially those that may experience reductions in stomach acid -- are at an increased risk of vitamin B12 deficiency.&nbsp;</span></p> <h3 style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Probiotics</strong></h3> <p style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://selfhacked.com/blog/probiotics-gut-health/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Probiotics</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> are living, beneficial microscopic organisms (usually bacteria) that can be found in fermented foods, such as [</span><a href="http://health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/how-to-get-more-probiotics"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">]:</span></p> <ul style="text-align: justify;"> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><a href="https://selfhacked.com/blog/kefir/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Kefir</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> and yogurt</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Kimchi</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Sauerkraut</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><a href="https://selfhacked.com/blog/kombucha/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Kombucha</span></a></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Sourdough bread&nbsp;</span></li> </ul> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Probiotics can also be found as over-the-counter supplements, where they can range in doses from 1 billion to 10 billion colony-forming units (amount of live bacteria) [</span><a href="https://www.health.harvard.edu/press_releases/benefit_of_probiotics_should_you_take_a_daily_dose_of_bacteria"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].&nbsp;</span></p> <h4 style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Beneficial Strains</strong></h4> <p style="text-align: justify;"><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Bifidobacteria </span></em><span style="font-weight: 400;">and </span><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Lactobacilli </span></em><span style="font-weight: 400;">probiotic strains in particular have been associated with favorable modulation of gut bacteria composition in a number of studies.</span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Specifically, consumption of fermented milk or supplements containing </span><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Bifidobacteria </span></em><span style="font-weight: 400;">and </span><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Lactobacilli</span></em><span style="font-weight: 400;"> for 3-4 weeks increased both the amount and diversity of beneficial gut bacteria (including resident gut </span><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Bifidobacteria </span></em><span style="font-weight: 400;">and </span><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Lactobacilli</span></em><span style="font-weight: 400;">). With probiotic intake, the amount of harmful bacterial species, such as </span><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">E. coli</span></em><span style="font-weight: 400;">, was also found to be reduced [</span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16469146/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24385355/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27451450/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].&nbsp;</span></p> <h4 style="text-align: justify;"><strong><em>FUT2 </em></strong><strong>Variants</strong></h4> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Although the effect of probiotic intake on </span><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">FUT2 </span></em><span style="font-weight: 400;">non-secretor variants has not been elucidated, it is possible that non-secretors may benefit from the modulation of gut bacteria composition observed with probiotic intake, as non-secretors typically have a lower amount and diversity of gut bacteria.&nbsp;</span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Probiotics also have the ability to protect against </span><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">H. pylori</span></em><span style="font-weight: 400;"> infections. The mechanism behind this is not entirely clear, but it has been suggested that probiotics are able to compete with </span><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">H. pylori </span></em><span style="font-weight: 400;">for sites of attachment [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4958626/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6102400/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/3819580/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].&nbsp;</span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">It is possible that secretors may benefit from probiotic intake due to their increased susceptibility to </span><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">H. pylori </span></em><span style="font-weight: 400;">infections. However, studies related to potential ABO antigen-binding competition between probiotics and </span><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">H. pylori </span></em><span style="font-weight: 400;">in secretors have yet to be conducted.</span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: #e8ebfc; border-left: 2px solid #4569fa; display: block; padding: 20px;">Probiotics are living, microscopic organisms that can be found in fermented foods and are available as supplements. Probiotics may be able to counter the negative effects of certain <em>FUT2 </em>variants, but more studies are needed to support this claim.&nbsp;</span></p> <h3 style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Prebiotics</strong></h3> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Prebiotics are complex carbohydrates (fibre) that act as food sources for resident gut bacteria and probiotics that are newly-introduced to the gut. Prebiotics have been shown to promote the growth and activity of beneficial gut bacteria, including </span><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Bifidobacteria </span></em><span style="font-weight: 400;">and </span><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Lactobacilli </span></em><span style="font-weight: 400;">strains [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19079930/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Sources of prebiotics include [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6463098/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">]:</span></p> <ul style="text-align: justify;"> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Asparagus</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Garlic</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Chicory</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Onion</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Jerusalem artichoke</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Wheat</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Banana</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Barley</span></li> </ul> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: #e8ebfc; border-left: 2px solid #4569fa; display: block; padding: 20px;">Prebiotics are complex carbohydrates that can promote the growth and activity of probiotics, including <em>Bifidobacteria </em>and <em>Lactobacilli </em>strains.</span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><strong><span style="background-color: #e8ebfc; border-left: 2px solid #4569fa; display: block; padding: 20px;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">TAKE-AWAY</span>: Secretors can prevent vitamin B12 deficiency by consuming foods rich in vitamin B12, or taking vitamin B12 supplements. Non-secretors may be able to increase the amount and diversity of their gut bacteria by consuming foods that contain probiotics and prebiotics, or by taking probiotic supplements.</span></strong></p>
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269 | content_learn_more_9329482873110637_text == Based on the variants we looked at, your FUT2 gene may or may not be associated with gut issues related to secretor status. Keep reading to find out more about whether probiotics, prebiotics, and vitamin B12 intake can support your gut health, based on your FUT2 variant. 
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rsIDs = rs1047781,rs601338
rsStatus = rs1047781,FUT2,chr19,48703374,A,C,T,,30,0,Normal
rsStatus = rs601338,FUT2,chr19,48703417,G,A,,,24,9,HET
