GLOSSARY

Galacto-Oligosaccharides (GOS) is the same galactose-containing oligosaccharide family under another spelling, not a new substance.

FODMAPs are short-chain carbohydrates with incomplete uptake and osmotic or fermentative effects; a high content depends on type and portion. Low-FODMAP eating targets symptoms in selected people, not universal microbiome cleansing. Initial restriction should lead to reintroduction and personalization to preserve variety and adequacy. Athletes also need sufficient fuel when considering short event-related adjustments rather than maintaining unnecessary broad restrictions indefinitely.

Inulin, oligosaccharides and resistant starches or dextrins differ in behavior. Amount, chain length and preparation influence fermentation and symptoms. Sudden increases can cause gas or discomfort, which is not a necessary sign of effectiveness. Gradual changes away from key events permit assessment. A food's long-term suitability does not mean that the same large portion immediately before running will be tolerated, so timing and quantity remain practical considerations.

Human enzymes cannot cleave all fiber linkages; some material reaches microbes and is fermented according to type. Products include short-chain fatty acids and gases, with fermentability varying between fibers. Fiber digestion is therefore not the same as starch digestion. Gradual increases and event-specific timing are generally more useful than permanently excluding every source, especially because long-term food variety and short-term gut comfort need coordinated planning.