What’s the latest in prebiotic research? July Edition

This monthly feature provides an overview of some of the latest studies on prebiotics. We’ll share key findings and insights from the studies. Have a study you’d like us to cover? Email GPA Communications Director Traci Kantowski traci@prebioticassociation.org.

Multi-Omic Analyses Reveal Bifidogenic Effect and Metabolomic Shifts in Healthy Human Cohort Supplemented With a Prebiotic Dietary Fiber Blend

The objective of this clinical study was to test the changes in microbial community composition, human metabolomics, and general health markers of a convenient, easy to use prebiotic supplement in generally healthy young participants consuming a diet low in fiber. During the study participants consumed 12 g of a prebiotic fiber supplement and 12 g of placebo daily as a powder mixed with water as part of their habitual diet in randomized order for 4 weeks, with a 4-week washout between treatment arms. Supplementation with 12 g/day of a diverse, prebiotic dietary fiber blend resulted in measurable increases in beneficial Bifidobacterium species, changes in counts of genes associated with the utilization of the prebiotic as well as acetate production, and changes in plasma IPA, choline, and acylcholines in generally healthy individuals who consume a low-fiber diet.

Key takeaways A low dose of prebiotic which is a small change in diet can have beneficial effects on the gut microbiome and associated health benefits.

Access the study: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9248813/

Kang JW, Tang X, Walton CJ, Brown MJ, Brewer RA, Maddela RL, Zheng JJ, Agus JK, Zivkovic AM. Multi-Omic Analyses Reveal Bifidogenic Effect and Metabolomic Shifts in Healthy Human Cohort Supplemented With a Prebiotic Dietary Fiber Blend. Front Nutr. 2022 Jun 17;9:908534. doi: 10.3389/fnut.2022.908534. PMID: 35782954; PMCID: PMC9248813.

Perspective: Leveraging the Gut Microbiota to Predict Personalized Responses to Dietary, Prebiotic, and Probiotic Interventions

Humans often show variable responses to dietary, prebiotic, and probiotic interventions.  The authors provide an overview of some of the major computational and experimental tools being applied to critical questions of microbiota-mediated personalized nutrition and health

Key takeaways: The microbiome provides a key aspect to personalized nutrition both in treatment and prevention.

Access the study https://academic.oup.com/advances/advance-article/doi/10.1093/advances/nmac075/6626013

Gibbons SM, Gurry T, Lampe JW, Chakrabarti A, Dam V, Everard A, Goas A, Gabriele G, Kleerebez M, Lane J, Maukonen J, Penna ALB, Pot B, Valdes AM, Walton G, Weiss A, Zanzer YC, Venlet NV, Miani M. Perspective: Leveraging the Gut Microbiota to Predict Personalized Responses to Dietary, Prebiotic, and Probiotic Interventions. Adv Nutr. 2022 Jul 1:nmac075. doi: 10.1093/advances/nmac075. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 35776947.

Prebiotics and the Human Gut Microbiota: From Breakdown Mechanisms to the Impact on Metabolic Health

This article discusses the oral microbiome and its relationship to periodontal disease and the associated inflammatory markers that left un checked can lead to systemic inflammation thus linking periodontitis and obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Treatment with natural products such as prebiotics are discussed for their potential to manage inflammatory responses as well as their antioxidant capabilities.

Key takeaway: prebiotics lay a role in heling to manage the inflammatory and prooxidant reactions associated with periodontal disease which can also help with the gut microbiota and systemic inflammation.

Access the study: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35770408/

Santacroce L, Muzio EL, Bottalico L, Spirito F, Charitos IA, Passarelli PC, Jirillo E. Subversion of the Oral Microbiota and Induction of Immune-Mediated Systemic Inflammation with Special Reference to Periodontitis. Current Knowledge and Perspectives. Endocr Metab Immune Disord Drug Targets. 2022 Jun 29. doi: 10.2174/1871530322666220629101357. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 35770408.