FOS is that it is an excellent fuel for one of the major GOOD BACTERIA found in our gut. FOS is food for bifidobacteria - AND it is safe to use. 

HEALTH BENEFITS OF BIFIDOBACTERIA. Bifidobacteria are the most predominating intestinal flora in infants.  Florajen 3 provides this important probiotic.

Because bifidobacteria are resistant to bile (Rao et al, 1989), they may have a better chance of colonizing the gut and delivering their lactose-metabolizing enzyme to its site of action over an extended period of time. Compounds such as fructooligosaccharides (FOS) are not metabolized by humans and can serve as a source of energy for intestinal organisms such as bifidobacteria.

Jerusalem artichokes are an excellent source of fructooligosaccharides (FOS). Fresh artichokes contain approximately 18-20% solids, of which 70-80% is FOS.

FOS is not digested and absorbed by humans. While most FOS passes through the body unabsorbed, the principal utilization pathway for the remainder is via metabolism by intestinal microorganisms.

All of the good news about bifidobacteria indicates that we can all benefit by having it in our GI tract. The Florajen 3 will put it there so I take it every day. The FOS has been shown repeatedly to be an excellent, safe *food* for the bifidobacteria. Therefore, it makes sense that we should also consume sufficient FOS to keep our good bifidobacteria healthy and thriving. If you don't have a regular, affordable source of Jerusalem artichokes you might want to consider using a high grade FOS supplement. You can get it from The Compounder as a powder or in a capsule form.