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The Influence of a blend of Probiotic Lactobacillus and Prebiotic Inulin on the Duration and Severity of Symptoms among Individuals with Covid-19
Gavin Publishers is an international open access journal publishers. We publish research, review, mini review, case report, case series, editorial, short communication, opinion, perspective, rapid communication, commentary, and brief report peer reviewed articles in best Clinical, Medical, Pharma, Life Sciences, and Engineering Subject Journals. All our journals are Double Blind Peer Reviewed Journals and our website have more than 10 Million readers, all papers publishing in our Journals are globally accepted. Our conferences have more than 5000 renowned Speakers combined in an event with interactive sessions and Poster presentations. Gavin Publishers is combination of Journals and Conferences, currently we are publishing articles in more than 150+ best Journals and organizing 100 Conferences all over the world. Our open access journals committed to disseminating top notch academic research and academic journals throughout the world covering various disciplines of science, technology and medicine.
2024
Abstract
Gut microbial irregularities can lead to increased gut inflammation and gut membrane damage in people with long covid. Symptoms such as cough and breathlessness are apparent in Covid 19 patients with harmful gut bacterial overgrowth. In Covid patients, antibiotic and dexamethasone treatment also aggravates gut microbial imbalances. Lactobacillus supplementation has been shown to lessen upper respiratory tract infection, increase gut bacterial diversity, improve gut wall integrity, reduce gastrointestinal symptoms and gut inflammation, decrease oxidative stress and improve immunity. This study analysed the efficacy of probiotics and prebiotics combined supplements in reducing the severity and longevity of symptomatic Covid infection. 126 participants with Covid symptoms consumed two capsules a day for a month of a supplement containing 5 species of Lactobacillus and chicory inulin. 32% of participants were in the early phase of infection, and 68% were in the late phase. Both early and late phase participants showed significant improvements in cough, fatigue, and subjective wellbeing after 30 days of intervention. The gut symptoms of 82% of the participants improved after a month of intervention. Inulin and Lactobacillus strains need to be studied further robustly to determine whether they provide additional benefits. Healthcare practitioners can use the results of this study to consider symbiotic interventions for those with Covid symptoms.
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T2DM and the Microbiome - NED Infobite
BANT's scientific NED InfoBites are designed to provide key elements of the latest research using plain language. They provide quick overviews on particular health issues and nutrition topics for a speedy introduction to the science. Visually attractive and easily shareable with clients and social media followers.
2024
Abstract
Accumulating studies have shown a strong correlation between Type 2 diabetes mellitus and the gut microbiome. This NED Infobite includes studies comparing probiotics and glucose-lowering drugs, the effects or probiotics and synbiotics on inflammation and oxidative stress in T2DM subjects, as well as the impacts of dietary interventions on gut bacterial profiles in those with dysregulated blood glucose markers.
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How to Naturally Prevent and treat Osteopenia and Osteoporosis
Chris Kresser is a globally-renowned expert, clinician, and educator in the fields of Functional Medicine and ancestral health. He remains tireless in his efforts to share evidence-based insights from trusted sources and world-renowned health practitioners and coaches through his blogs and his podcast, Revolution Health Radio.
2024
Abstract
Chris talks about the factors implicated in the development of osteoporosis such as inflammation, both systemic and in the gut (gut-bone axis) via production of inflammatory cytokines which can directly impact bone density. He reviews the evidence for high dose calcium supplements for osteoporosis and whether they are safe, and considers other nutrients involved in calcium metabolism such as vitamins D, K2, B, C, E, and minerals Magnesium, Silica and Collagen. Beyond the diet, bone mineral density has been shown to significantly increase with weight bearing exercise, and both sleep and stress may also impact bone density via the action of melatonin and cortisol.
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Effects of dietary fibers or probiotics on functional constipation symptoms and roles of gut microbiota: a double-blinded randomized placebo trial.
Lai, H, Li, Y, He, Y, Chen, F, Mi, B, Li, J, Xie, J, Ma, G, Yang, J, Xu, K, et al
Gut microbes. 2023;15(1):2197837
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Functional constipation is characterised by continuously difficult, incomplete, or infrequent defecation, without an organic origin. Effective intervention strategies are required to relieve the functional constipation difficulties, particularly in rapidly aging populations, such as Chinese populations. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of three dietary fibre formulas (polydextrose, psyllium husk, and wheat bran + psyllium husk) and one probiotic supplement on the improvement of constipation symptoms among Chinese adults with functional constipation. This study was a double-blinded randomised placebo-controlled trial which enrolled 250 participants who were randomly assigned to one of the five groups. Results showed: - that daily supplement of three prebiotic formulas with dietary fibres, or a probiotic formula effectively relieved hard stool in functional constipation patients after 4 weeks intervention. - the capacity of gut microbial genera in shaping the intervention responsiveness in the improvement of bowel movement frequency, Bristol stool scale score, and degree of defecation straining. Authors conclude that the pre or probiotic interventions may modulate gut microbiota, associated with intestinal health.
Abstract
Dietary fibers/probiotics may relieve constipation via optimizing gut microbiome, yet with limited trial-based evidences. We aimed to evaluate the effects of formulas with dietary fibers or probiotics on functional constipation symptoms, and to identify modulations of gut microbiota of relevance. We conducted a 4-week double-blinded randomized placebo-controlled trial in 250 adults with functional constipation. Intervention: A: polydextrose; B: psyllium husk; C: wheat bran + psyllium husk; D: Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis HN019 + Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus HN001; Placebo: maltodextrin. Oligosaccharides were also included in group A to D. 16S rRNA sequencing was used to assess the gut microbiota at weeks 0, 2, and 4. A total of 242 participants completed the study. No time-by-group effect was observed for bowel movement frequency (BMF), Bristol stool scale score (BSS), and degree of defecation straining (DDS), while BSS showed mean increases of 0.95-1.05 in group A to D (all P < 0.05), but not significantly changed in placebo (P = 0.170), and 4-week change of BSS showed similarly superior effects of the interventions as compared placebo. Group D showed a marginal reduction in plasma 5-hydroxytryptamine. Group A resulted in a higher Bifidobacterium abundance than placebo at week 2 and 4. Fourteen genera showed intervention-specific increasing or decreasing trends continuously, among which Anaerostipes showed increasing trends in groups B and C, associated with BMF increase. Random forest models identified specific baseline microbial genera panels predicting intervention responders. In conclusion, we found that the dietary fibers or probiotics may relieve hard stool, with intervention-specific changes in gut microbiota relevant to constipation relief. Baseline gut microbiota may predispose the intervention responsiveness. ClincialTrials.gov number, NCT04667884. What is the context?Supplementation of dietary fibers, such as psyllium husk or wheat bran (10 ~ 15 g/day) may relieve constipation symptoms, but bloating and flatulence are major concerns on a high fiber intake.Functional constipation patients had alternated gut microbiota profiles, while meta-analysis suggested that multispecies probiotics may increase bowel movement frequency and relieve hard stool in functional constipation.Dietary fibers or probiotics may lead to before-after changes of gut microbiota in patients with functional constipation, but time-series continued changes of gut microbiota during the intervention are unknown.Elevation of 5-hydroxytryptamine synthesis in enterochromaffin cells may affect bowel movement. And the elevated plasma 5-hydroxytryptamine was observed in functional constipation patients.What is new? Daily supplement of three prebiotic formulas with dietary fibers (polydextrose, psyllium husk, wheat bran, together with oligosaccharides), or a probiotic formula with Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis HN019 + Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus HN001 effectively relieved hard stool in functional constipation patients after 4 weeks intervention.We identified continued increasing or decreasing gut microbial genera over the intervention. Dietary fiber – gut microbiota (Anaerostipes)—constipation relieve (bowel movement frequency) evidence axis was identified in this human trial.Probiotic supplementation marginally reduced plasma 5-hydroxytryptamine, possibly associated with changes in BMF-related gut microbial genera.Intervention-specific baseline gut microbiota well predicted the responsiveness of constipation symptom relief.What is the impact? We provided references for the dosage and duration of dietary fiber/probiotics recommendations for adults with functional constipation, and advanced the microbial genera evidences of the fibers/probiotics-microbiota-laxation theory in humans.
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High-fiber diet ameliorates gut microbiota, serum metabolism and emotional mood in type 2 diabetes patients.
Chen, L, Liu, B, Ren, L, Du, H, Fei, C, Qian, C, Li, B, Zhang, R, Liu, H, Li, Z, et al
Frontiers in cellular and infection microbiology. 2023;13:1069954
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Accumulating studies have demonstrated that there are strong correlations between type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and gut microbiota. A nutritious diet composed of an adequate level of dietary fibres could provide enough carbohydrates for the gut microbiota to ferment, and the microbial metabolites could provide energy supply and regulate the immune function of the host. The aim of this study was to analyse the changes in gut microbiota, serum metabolism and emotional mood of patients with T2DM after consumption of a high-fibre diet. This study was a randomised, open-label, parallel-group clinical trial in T2DM patients with a 4-week treatment period. Seventeen patients clinically diagnosed with T2DM enrolled in the clinical trial and were randomly assigned into two groups: the control group (n = 8) or the intervention group (n = 9). Results showed that the high-fibre diet (compared to the control group): - improved glucose homeostasis and lipid metabolism of participants with T2DM; - decreased serum levels of inflammatory chemokines in participants with T2DM; - alleviated depression and anxiety symptoms, particularly by the uptake of more diverse carbohydrates in the diet in participants with T2DM; - enhanced the diversity of gut microbiota in the treatment group. Authors conclude that the dietary source of fibre demonstrated protective impacts on the gut ecosystem, and the alteration of the gut microbiota composition improved the glucose homeostasis in patients with T2DM.
Abstract
Previous studies have demonstrated that patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) often had the problems of fecal microbiota dysbiosis, and were usually accompanied with psychiatric comorbidities (such as depression and anxiety). Here, we conducted a randomized clinical study to analyze the changes in gut microbiota, serum metabolism and emotional mood of patients with T2DM after consumption of a high-fiber diet. The glucose homeostasis of participants with T2DM was improved by the high-fiber diet, and the serum metabolome, systemic inflammation and psychiatric comorbidities were also altered. The increased abundances of Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium and Akkermansias revealed that the proportions of beneficial gut microbes were enriched by the high-fiber diet, while the abundances of Desulfovibrio, Klebsiella and other opportunistic pathogens were decreased. Therefore, the current study demonstrated that the intestinal microbiota alterations which were influenced by the high-fiber diet could improve the serum metabolism and emotional mood of patients with T2DM.
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A Mediterranean Diet Pattern Improves Intestinal Inflammation Concomitant with Reshaping of the Bacteriome in Ulcerative Colitis: A Randomised Controlled Trial.
Haskey, N, Estaki, M, Ye, J, Shim, RK, Singh, S, Dieleman, LA, Jacobson, K, Gibson, DL
Journal of Crohn's & colitis. 2023;17(10):1569-1578
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Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) with debilitating symptoms. Patients live with considerable symptom burden, increased risk of disability, and lower quality of life despite medical treatment. The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy of the Mediterranean Diet Pattern (MDP) compared with a Canadian Habitual Diet Pattern (CHD) on UC disease activity, inflammation, and the gut microbiome. This study was a randomised controlled trial where participants were randomly assigned to follow the MDP or CHD for 12 weeks. Results showed that: - the MDP reduces clinical symptoms and reduces inflammation. - the MDP promotes faecal secretory immunoglobulin A [the principal weapon protecting us from pathogens and toxins that might otherwise penetrate mucosal surfaces. - the MDP is positively associated with microbes that produce potentially beneficial metabolites. - the MDP is negatively associated with microbes predicted to carry pathobiont traits. - the MDP increases faecal short-chain fatty acids production. Authors conclude that the MDP is well tolerated and is a reasonable, healthy eating pattern that practitioners can recommend to patients with UC in remission to prevent relapses, in addition to their standard medical therapy.
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Dietary patterns are important in managing ulcerative colitis [UC], given their influence on gut microbiome-host symbiosis and inflammation. We investigated whether the Mediterranean Diet Pattern [MDP] vs the Canadian Habitual Diet Pattern [CHD] would affect disease activity, inflammation, and the gut microbiome in patients with quiescent UC. METHODS We performed a prospective, randomised, controlled trial in adults [65% female; median age 47 years] with quiescent UC in an outpatient setting from 2017 to 2021. Participants were randomised to an MDP [n = 15] or CHD [n = 13] for 12 weeks. Disease activity [Simple Clinical Colitis Activity Index] and faecal calprotectin [FC] were measured at baseline and week 12. Stool samples were analysed by 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing. RESULTS The diet was well tolerated by the MDP group. At week 12, 75% [9/12] of participants in the CHD had an FC >100 μg/g, vs 20% [3/15] of participants in the MDP group. The MDP group had higher levels of total faecal short chain fatty acids [SCFAs] [p = 0.01], acetic acid [p = 0.03], and butyric acid [p = 0.03] compared with the CHD. Furthermore, the MDP induced alterations in microbial species associated with a protective role in colitis [Alistipes finegoldii and Flavonifractor plautii], as well as the production of SCFAs [Ruminococcus bromii]. CONCLUSIONS An MDP induces gut microbiome alterations associated with the maintenance of clinical remission and reduced FC in patients with quiescent UC. The data support that the MDP is a sustainable diet pattern that could be recommended as a maintenance diet and adjunctive therapy for UC patients in clinical remission. ClinicalTrials.gov no: NCT0305371.
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Effects of galactooligosaccharides on maternal gut microbiota, glucose metabolism, lipid metabolism and inflammation in pregnancy: A randomized controlled pilot study.
Wan, J, An, L, Ren, Z, Wang, S, Yang, H, Ma, J
Frontiers in endocrinology. 2023;14:1034266
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During pregnancy, a disordered gut microbiome and abnormal glucose metabolism may be possible mechanisms for pregnancy complications such as gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). Different from probiotics, galactooligosaccharides (GOS) is a prebiotic that is not digested and absorbed by the host, but can selectively promote the metabolism and proliferation of beneficial bacteria in the body, particularly Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium. The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility, acceptability, and safety of prebiotic intervention in healthy pregnant women, and conduct a preliminary exploration of the possible benefits for pregnant women. This study was a prospective double-blinded randomised clinical trial involving pregnant women. Participants were randomly assigned to the control group and the intervention group at a 1:1 ratio. Results showed that GOS intervention had no significant effect on reducing the incidence of GDM and improving glucose and lipid metabolism. Furthermore, there was no significant difference in glucose and lipid metabolism levels between GOS group and placebo group. Authors conclude that GOS can be considered as a dietary supplement during pregnancy. However, further clinical studies are needed to strengthen the findings of this study.
Abstract
BACKGROUND Gut microbiota of pregnant women change with the gestational week. On the one hand, they participate in the metabolic adaptation of pregnant women. On the other hand, the abnormal composition of gut microbiota of pregnant women is more likely to suffer from gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). Therefore, gut microbiota targeted treatment through dietary supplements is particularly important for prevention or treatment. Prebiotic supplements containing galactooligosaccharides (GOS) may be an intervention method, but the effect is still unclear. OBJECTIVE This study aims to evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of prebiotic intervention in healthy pregnant women during pregnancy, and to explore the possible effects of intervention on pregnant women and the influence on gut microbiota as preliminaries. METHODS After recruitment in first trimester, 52 pregnant women were randomly assigned to receive GOS intervention or placebo containing fructooligosaccharides. 16S rRNA sequencing technology was used to detect the composition, diversity and differential flora of gut microbiota. Lipid metabolism, glucose metabolism and inflammatory factors during pregnancy were also analyzed. RESULTS The adverse symptoms of GOS intervention are mild and relatively safe. For pregnant women, there was no significant difference in the GDM incidence rates and gestational weight gain (GWG) in the GOS group compared with placebo (P > 0.05). Compared with the placebo group, the levels of FPG, TG, TC, HDL-C LDL-C, and IL-6 had no significant difference in GOS group (P > 0.05). For newborns, there was no significant difference between GOS group and placebo group in the following variables including gestational week, birth weight, birth length, head circumference, chest circumference, sex, and delivery mode (P > 0.05). And compared with the placebo group, the GOS group had a higher abundance of Paraprevotella and Dorea, but lower abundance of LachnospiraceaeUCG_001. CONCLUSIONS GOS prebiotics appear to be safe and acceptable for the enrolled pregnancies. Although GOS intervention did not show the robust benefits on glucose and lipid metabolism. However, the intervention had a certain impact on the compostion of gut microbiota. GOS can be considered as a dietary supplement during pregnancy, and further clinical studies are needed to explore this in the future.
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Consumption of Extruded Sorghum SC319 Improved Gut Microbiota at Genus Level and Reduced Anthropometric Markers in Men with Overweight: A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial.
Lúcio, H, Anunciação, P, da Silva, B, da Silva, A, Queiroz, V, de Carvalho, C, Pinheiro-Sant'Ana, H, Martino, H
Nutrients. 2023;15(17)
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Obesity is frequently associated with the dysregulation of lipid, glucose, and cholesterol metabolism, in addition to increased oxidative stress and the establishment of low-grade chronic inflammation, which are risk factors for developing non-communicable chronic diseases. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of the consumption of extruded SC319 whole sorghum or extruded whole wheat associated with an 8-week daily 500 kcal energy restriction diet on the modulation of intestinal health with a focus on gut microbiota, short-chain fatty acid production, faecal pH, and weight loss and inflammation markers. This study was an 8-week, single-blind, controlled, randomised nutritional intervention study conducted in 21 men with overweight. The participants were randomly allocated in a 1:1 ratio to receive extruded SC319 whole sorghum or extruded whole wheat. Results showed that consuming SC319 extruded sorghum along with an energy restricted diet achieved greater weight loss and reduced body fat percentage in Brazilian men with overweight compared to the wheat group, with no differences in SCFA synthesis, faecal pH, alpha and beta-diversity, and inflammatory markers. Sorghum consumption promoted alternations in intestinal microbiome composition at the genus level, probably due to the presence of resistant starch and polyphenolic compounds. Authors conclude that sorghum consumption improved weight loss, decreased anthropometric measures, and acted as a prebiotic, thereby changing intestinal microbiome composition.
Abstract
BACKGROUND Sorghum is a cereal source of energy, carbohydrates, resistant starch, proanthocyanidins, and 3-deoxyanthocyanins; it promotes satiety by slowing digestion and benefits intestinal health. OBJECTIVE This study investigated the effects of extruded sorghum SC319 consumption on intestinal health, weight loss, and inflammatory markers in men with overweight. METHODS This was a randomized, controlled, single-blind clinical trial. Twenty-one men were randomly allocated into one of two groups: the sorghum group (test), which received 40 g of extruded SC319 whole sorghum (n = 10), or the wheat group (control), which received 38 g of extruded whole wheat (n = 11) for eight weeks. RESULTS The sorghum consumption increased the weight loss intragroup, decreased the body fat percentage intergroup, and did not change inflammatory markers, while the wheat group had increased IL-6 levels compared to baseline. Short-chain fatty acid production, fecal pH, and α and β diversity indexes did not differ intra- and intergroup after interventions. However, sorghum consumption decreased genus levels of Clostridium_sensu_stricto 1, Dorea, and Odoribacter and increased CAG-873 and Turicibacter compared to baseline. Further, sorghum showed a tendency (p = 0.07) to decrease the proteobacteria phyla compared to wheat. CONCLUSION Extruded sorghum SC319 improved intestinal microbiota and body composition and promoted weight loss, demonstrating its prebiotic potential.
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Effects of a low FODMAP diet on gut microbiota in individuals with treated coeliac disease having persistent gastrointestinal symptoms - a randomised controlled trial.
Herfindal, AM, van Megen, F, Gilde, MKO, Valeur, J, Rudi, K, Skodje, GI, Lundin, KEA, Henriksen, C, Bøhn, SK
The British journal of nutrition. 2023;130(12):2061-2075
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Coeliac disease (CeD) is a common immune-mediated disease where intolerance to gluten can lead to severe health problems with a wide range of gastrointestinal (GI) and extra-intestinal symptoms. Research shows that a diet low in fermentable oligo-, di-, mono-saccharides and polyols (FODMAP) helps to reduce GI symptoms in irritable-bowel syndrome and gluten-free diet treated CeD. The aim of this study was to investigate whether a low FODMAP diet (LFD) in this patient group affects (i) the faecal microbiota, (ii) the concentrations of faecal short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) and (iii) the concentrations of faecal human neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (a biomarker of gut inflammation). This study is part of a clinical trial which followed a nonblinded, parallel randomised design. The participants were randomised to either an LFD group or a control group. Results showed that after four weeks, certain differences in gut microbiota were detected between the control and LFD group. The SCFA results indicated that the LFD resulted in lower concentrations of propionic and valeric acid in participants with initially high concentrations. Biomarker of gut inflammation was, however, unaffected by the LFD. Authors conclude that the LFD led to changes in overall community structure of the faecal microbiota, with a possible unfavourable low faecal abundance of Anaerostipes, and low concentrations of the faecal SCFA propionic and valeric acid in participants with high concentrations of these acids at baseline.
Abstract
Individuals with coeliac disease (CeD) often experience gastrointestinal symptoms despite adherence to a gluten-free diet (GFD). While we recently showed that a diet low in fermentable oligo-, di-, monosaccharides and polyols (FODMAP) successfully provided symptom relief in GFD-treated CeD patients, there have been concerns that the low FODMAP diet (LFD) could adversely affect the gut microbiota. Our main objective was therefore to investigate whether the LFD affects the faecal microbiota and related variables of gut health. In a randomised controlled trial GFD-treated CeD adults, having persistent gastrointestinal symptoms, were randomised to either consume a combined LFD and GFD (n 39) for 4 weeks or continue with GFD (controls, n 36). Compared with the control group, the LFD group displayed greater changes in the overall faecal microbiota profile (16S rRNA gene sequencing) from baseline to follow-up (within-subject β-diversity, P < 0·001), characterised by lower and higher follow-up abundances (%) of genus Anaerostipes (Pgroup < 0·001) and class Erysipelotrichia (Pgroup = 0·02), respectively. Compared with the control group, the LFD led to lower follow-up concentrations of faecal propionic and valeric acid (GC-FID) in participants with high concentrations at baseline (Pinteraction ≤ 0·009). No differences were found in faecal bacterial α-diversity (Pgroup ≥ 0·20) or in faecal neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (ELISA), a biomarker of gut integrity and inflammation (Pgroup = 0·74), between the groups at follow-up. The modest effects of the LFD on the gut microbiota and related variables in the CeD patients of the present study are encouraging given the beneficial effects of the LFD strategy to treat functional GI symptoms (Registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT03678935).
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An insight into the functional alterations in the gut microbiome of healthy adults in response to a multi-strain probiotic intake: a single arm open label trial.
Rodenes-Gavidia, A, Lamelas, A, Bloor, S, Hobson, A, Treadway, S, Haworth, J, Vijayakumar, V, Naghibi, M, Day, R, Chenoll, E
Frontiers in cellular and infection microbiology. 2023;13:1240267
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The human gut microbiota is a key mediator of host health and is known to affect many physiological processes, such as digestion, metabolism, immune function and inhibition of pathogen colonisation. The gut microbiome can be impacted by many extrinsic factors. The aim of this study was to assess both compositional and functional changes in the microbiome of healthy individuals using shotgun metagenomics following 8-weeks of daily multi-strain probiotic intake. This study was a single-arm open-label study which enrolled a total of 41 healthy adult males and females between 18 to 40 years old. Results showed that alpha- and beta-diversity of the faecal microbiota structure was not significantly altered in response to probiotic intake. However, significant changes were observed when functional genes were assessed. Abundance of certain genes involved in several functional pathways were also significantly altered. Additionally, there were no significant changes in stool frequency or consistency, faecal biochemistry, or breath tests of methane and hydrogen observed. Authors conclude that the findings of their study have the potential to provide insights into the underlying mechanisms of action of the 14-strain probiotic blend in healthy adults.
Abstract
BACKGROUND Probiotic supplements, by definition, provide a benefit to the host, but few studies have investigated the effect of probiotic supplements in healthy adult populations. PURPOSE The present, single arm, open label clinical trial, evaluated compositional and functional changes in the fecal microbiome of healthy adults after supplementation with a 14-strain probiotic. METHODS We analysed the effect of a 14-strain probiotic blend (Bacillus subtilis NCIMB 30223, Bifidobacterium bifidum NCIMB 30179, B. breve NCIMB 30180, B. infantis NCIMB 30181, B. longum NCIMB 30182, Lactobacillus helveticus NCIMB 30184, L. delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus NCIMB 30186, Lacticaseibacillus paracasei NCIMB 30185, Lactiplantibacillus plantarum NCIMB 30187, Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus NCIMB 30188, L. helveticus NCIMB 30224, Lactobacillus salivarius NCIMB 30225, Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis NCIMB 30222, and Streptococcus thermophilus NCIMB 30189), on the faecal microbiota of healthy young adults (n=41) in a single arm study. The adults consumed 4 capsules daily of the 14 strain blend(8 billion colony forming units/day) for 8 weeks. Compositional and functional changes in faecal microbiota before and after supplementation were assessed using shotgun metagenomic sequencing. Fasting breath analysis, faecal biochemistry and bowel habits were also assessed. RESULTS In healthy adult participants, no significant changes to the overall alpha- or beta-diversity was observed after 8 weeks of multi-strain probiotic supplementation. However, in a simplified model that considered only time and individual differences, significant decreases (p < 0.05) in family Odoribacteraceae and Bacteroidaceae abundance and a significant increase (p < 0.05) in genus Megamonas abundance were observed. At a functional level, there were significant changes in functional gene abundance related to several functional pathways, including phenylalanine metabolism, O-antigen nucleotide sugar biosynthesis, bacterial chemotaxis, and flagellar assembly. No significant changes in stool form or frequency, fecal biochemistry, or methane and hydrogen breath tests were observed. CONCLUSION In healthy young adults, overall alpha- and beta-diversity did not change in response to probiotic intake even though modest compositional changes at the family and genus level were observed. However, at functional level, results identified changes in gene abundance for several functional pathways.