It is of great significance to list dietary fiber as an "essential nutrient". 

Establishing a certain nutrient as an "essential nutrient" is of great significance in the clinical and public health fields, as it directly affects its position in the priority ranking of health and its dissemination in popular science. 

Based on a wealth of evidence from multiple disciplines such as epidemiology, gastroenterology, endocrinology and microbiology, we propose that dietary fiber should be regarded as an essential nutrient. 

The three core characteristics of essential nutrients 

At present, there is no unified definition of "essential nutrients" in the scientific community, but they usually share the following three common characteristics, none of which can be missing: 

First, they are indispensable to the key physiological functions of the body. Without them, normal operation will be affected. 

Second, substances that the human body cannot synthesize by itself or can only synthesize in very small amounts, which are far from meeting the body's needs, must be obtained from food. 

Three, when there is a deficiency, characteristic clinical manifestations will occur, and these adverse manifestations can be reversed after supplementation to the required level. 

These characteristics clearly indicate that the deficiency of essential nutrients can lead to adverse health outcomes at the causal level. Currently recognized essential nutrients for the human body include various amino acids, vitamins, minerals and fatty acids, while dietary fiber and other carbohydrates have not yet been classified as such. 

The health benefits of dietary fiber are supported by clear physiological mechanisms. 

1. Regulating blood lipids: Increasing dietary fiber intake can lower total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol levels through promoting the excretion of bile acids and enhancing the clearance of low-density lipoprotein (LDL). 

Second, stabilizing blood sugar: Dietary fiber can lower post-meal blood sugar levels and reduce blood sugar fluctuations. Regular intake over the long term can also improve long-term blood sugar control as measured by glycated hemoglobin. 

III. Other functions: It can also promote insulin secretion, regulate satiety and appetite, assist in weight regulation, and at the same time, by increasing fecal weight and shortening intestinal transit time, reduce the risk of colorectal cancer. 

These physiological mechanisms also provide a reasonable scientific explanation for the dose-response relationship between dietary fiber intake and the reduced risk of cardiovascular diseases and type 2 diabetes. 

Dietary fiber can regulate the intestinal flora and affect overall health. 

The diversity and functionality of the gut microbiota are highly dependent on dietary fiber as a key substrate to maintain growth and stability, and its composition responds rapidly to changes in dietary fiber intake. 

Dietary fiber is fermented and degraded by microorganisms in the intestine, which is the only anaerobic process in human digestion and is crucial for the survival of many animal species. The main products of fermentation include short-chain fatty acids (acetic acid, propionic acid and butyric acid), as well as gases such as hydrogen, carbon dioxide and methane. 

When dietary fiber intake is insufficient or animal protein intake is too high, the intestinal microbiota will obtain energy by fermenting proteins and their derived amino acids. The end products at this time include branched-chain fatty acids, as well as potentially toxic substances such as ammonia and sulfides, which are not conducive to intestinal health. Although there is still controversy over the concept of "healthy intestinal microbiota" and its interaction with the host, existing research has confirmed that the health status of the intestinal microbiota is related to many health effects, including Parkinson's disease, demyelinating diseases, colonic mucosal inflammation, immune regulation, oral drug bioavailability, atherosclerosis, and weight regulation. 

Only by acknowledging its necessity can the quality and quantity of dietary fiber intake be improved. 

Despite the abundant scientific evidence and clear recommendations from global guidelines to increase dietary fiber intake, the current average global intake of dietary fiber remains low (12–22g per day). Recognizing dietary fiber as an essential nutrient might break this deadlock. This would help: 

I. Policy and Education: It can strengthen the recommendations of dietary guidelines, increase the attention of medical professionals and the public, and promote the continuous monitoring of the intake of the entire population. 

II. Food Industry and Market: Promote the improvement of food formulas and the optimization of labels, and through fiscal incentives, encourage the consumption of fiber-rich foods such as whole grains, legumes, vegetables and fruits. 

The resistant starch from Beijing Xiangyu is a preferred type of dietary fiber, providing nutrition while ensuring good taste and quality. Quyin Xiangyu (Beijing) Biotechnology: A top-quality carbohydrate manufacturer and expert in resistant starch.