Research
Prebiotic Fiber (FOS/Inulin/GOS)
32 peer-reviewed studies curated from PubMed and Semantic Scholar.
Studies
Sorted by quality and recency
Partially hydrolyzed cow's milk protein formula with an added prebiotic is well-tolerated, safe, and supports age-appropriate growth in healthy term infants through one year of age: DBRCT.
This double-blind, randomized controlled trial evaluated the safety and growth outcomes of a partially hydrolyzed cow's milk protein formula with added prebiotics in healthy term infants. The study found that the formula was well-tolerated, safe, and supported age-appropriate growth through one year of age.
Effects of pregnancy and lactation prebiotics supplementation on infant allergic disease: A randomized controlled trial.
RCT of 652 pregnant women assessing the effect of prebiotics supplementation during pregnancy and lactation on infant allergic outcomes. No significant difference was found in the incidence of medically diagnosed infant eczema by age 1 year between the prebiotics and placebo groups.
Efficacy and safety of a synbiotic infant formula for the prevention of respiratory and gastrointestinal infections: a randomized controlled trial.
RCT of 460 infants comparing synbiotic formula containing GOS and L. fermentum CECT 5716 to control formula. No significant difference in infectious diarrhea incidence, but lower respiratory tract infections were reduced in the synbiotic group. Fecal pH was lower and secretory IgA higher in the synbiotic group, suggesting potential immune and gut health benefits.
Effect of inulin, galacto-oligosaccharides, and polyphenols on the gut microbiota, with a focus on.
Meta-analysis of six microbiome studies with 821 stool samples from 451 participants assessing the effects of inulin, GOS, and polyphenols on gut microbiota. GOS increased the relative abundance of beneficial gut bacteria and enriched metabolic pathways related to carbohydrate metabolism and short-chain fatty acid release.
Diurnal rhythmicity of infant fecal microbiota and metabolites: A randomized controlled interventional trial with infant formula.
This randomized controlled trial studied the impact of infant formula supplemented with galacto-oligosaccharides (GOS) on the development of infant gut microbiota. The study found that GOS supplementation sustained high levels of bifidobacteria and influenced microbiota rhythmicity, showing similar fecal bacterial communities between formula- and breast-fed infants.
A young child formula with Limosilactobacillus reuteri and GOS modulates gut microbiome and enhances bone and muscle development: a randomized trial.
RCT of 182 Filipino children aged 2-3 years comparing an experimental young child formula containing Limosilactobacillus reuteri and GOS to minimally fortified milk over 6 months. The EYCF group showed increased tibia speed of sound, improved muscle strength, and enriched gut microbiota composition, suggesting enhanced musculoskeletal development.
Childhood Obesity Body Mass Index and Gut Microbiome: A Cluster Randomized Controlled Pilot Feasibility Study.
Cluster randomized controlled feasibility trial of prebiotic fiber and an online program to improve diet and physical activity in 123 4th and 5th grade students. The study found a decrease in body fat associated with higher pre-test body fat and changes in gut microbiota.
A Prebiotic-Supplemented Formula Improves Gut Microbiota and Intestinal Inflammatory Microenvironment in Patients with Colorectal Adenoma: A Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial.
A double-blind, placebo-controlled trial evaluated the effects of a prebiotic formulation on gut microbiota and inflammation in patients with colorectal adenoma. The prebiotic group showed increased beneficial bacteria and reduced inflammatory levels compared to the control group.
[Influence of physical therapy on intestinal microbiota, blood pressure control and systemic inflammation level: a randomized controlled study of 84 patients with arterial hypertension].
RCT of 84 patients with arterial hypertension comparing basic antihypertensive therapy with additional interventions including a balanced diet with dietary fibers and prebiotics (Plantago ovata). The study found significant reductions in endotoxin levels, proinflammatory markers, and improvements in blood pressure and vascular wall elasticity, particularly in groups receiving prebiotics and physical therapy.
A randomised controlled trial of the effects of Galacto-Oligosaccharides on the gut brain-axis of young females.
RCT of 83 healthy females aged 17-25 receiving galacto-oligosaccharides (GOS) or placebo for 28 days. GOS did not significantly reduce trait anxiety but showed trends towards lower anxiety at follow-up. GOS reduced GABA levels in certain brain regions and transiently increased Bifidobacterium abundance, indicating changes along the gut-brain axis.
Indicators of improved emotion behavior in 6-14-year-old children following a 4-week placebo controlled prebiotic supplement intervention at home with a parent.
This double-blind placebo-controlled RCT investigated the effects of a prebiotic supplement, galactooligosaccharides (GOS), on children's well-being. The study involved 53 children aged 6 to 14 over an 8-week period. While statistical significance was not achieved, trends indicated reduced trait anxiety, improved mood, and decreased depression levels in the GOS group compared to placebo.
Maternal prebiotic supplementation during pregnancy and lactation modifies the microbiome and short chain fatty acid profile of both mother and infant.
Double-blinded, randomised placebo-controlled trial investigating the effects of maternal prebiotic supplementation (GOS/FOS) on the microbiome and SCFA profile of mother-infant pairs. Significant differences in maternal and infant microbiota were observed, with increased Bifidobacteria and changes in SCFA concentrations, indicating positive modulation of gut health.
Effect of gut microbiome modulation on muscle function and cognition: the PROMOTe randomised controlled trial.
RCT of 36 twin pairs aged ≥60, comparing prebiotic to placebo over 12 weeks with resistance exercise and BCAA supplementation for all. The prebiotic improved cognition but showed no significant effect on chair rise time, indicating potential cognitive benefits of gut microbiome modulation.
Effect of prebiotic fiber on physical function and gut microbiota in adults, mostly women, with knee osteoarthritis and obesity: a randomized controlled trial.
RCT of 54 adults with knee osteoarthritis and obesity, mostly women, comparing oligofructose-enriched inulin to placebo for 6 months. Prebiotic improved physical function, reduced trunk fat mass, and showed trends for reduced knee pain. Gut microbiota analysis showed differences favoring prebiotic, with positive correlations between Bifidobacterium abundance and physical performance.
Prebiotics increase iron absorption and reduce the adverse effects of iron on the gut microbiome and inflammation: a randomized controlled trial using iron stable isotopes in Kenyan infants.
RCT in Kenyan infants assessing the effects of prebiotic GOS/FOS on iron absorption and gut health when added to iron-fortified cereal. Prebiotics increased iron absorption and improved gut microbiome and inflammation markers compared to iron alone.
Effects of a Synbiotic on Plasma Immune Activity Markers and Short-Chain Fatty Acids in Children and Adults with ADHD-A Randomized Controlled Trial.
RCT investigating Synbiotic 2000 effects on plasma immune markers and SCFAs in ADHD patients. Synbiotic 2000 reduced IL-12/IL-23p40 and sICAM-1 and increased propionic acid levels in children on medication, suggesting potential immune benefits.
Prebiotic effect during the first year of life in healthy infants fed formula containing GOS as the only prebiotic: a multicentre, randomised, double-blind and placebo-controlled trial.
A multicentre, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial on 365 healthy infants assessed the prebiotic effect of galactooligosaccharides (GOS) in infant formula. The GOS group showed changes in faecal composition, microbiota, and defaecation frequency, but no significant differences in infection or allergy incidence during the first year.
Effects of combined prebiotic fiber supplementation and weight loss counseling in adults with metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease: a randomized controlled trial.
RCT examining the effects of prebiotic fiber supplementation and weight loss counseling in adults with MASLD. Prebiotic supplementation led to greater reductions in trunk fat, decreased appetite, and increased Bifidobacterium abundance compared to placebo. It also conserved taurine metabolism, suggesting specific benefits in managing MASLD.
The Effects of 12-Week Prebiotic Supplementation on General Wellness and Exercise-Induced Gastrointestinal Symptoms in Recreationally Trained Endurance Athletes: A Triple-Blind Randomised Controlled Pilot Trial.
This triple-blind randomized controlled trial investigated the effects of 12-week B-GOS supplementation on gastrointestinal comfort and psychological wellbeing in recreationally trained endurance athletes. The study found no significant group benefits of B-GOS supplementation compared with placebo, although individual variation may suggest potential benefits warranting further research.
The Effects of Prebiotic Supplementation on Markers of Exercise-Induced Gastrointestinal Syndrome in Response to Exertional Heat Stress.
RCT with 16 endurance athletes assessing the impact of 8-week prebiotic supplementation on gastrointestinal integrity during exertional heat stress. Prebiotic supplementation blunted intestinal epithelial injury markers but did not affect gastrointestinal transit, GIS, or feeding tolerance.
Gastrointestinal, Behaviour and Anxiety Outcomes in Autistic Children Following an Open Label, Randomised Pilot Study of Synbiotics vs Synbiotics and Gut-Directed Hypnotherapy.
Open-label randomized pilot study comparing synbiotics alone versus synbiotics with gut-directed hypnotherapy in autistic children. Both groups showed significant reductions in gastrointestinal scores, while the combination group also showed reductions in anxiety and irritability. Changes in gut microbiota were observed in both groups.
A low-dose prebiotic fiber supplement reduces lipopolysaccharide-binding protein concentrations in a subgroup of young, healthy adults consuming low-fiber diets.
A secondary analysis of a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blinded, cross-over study with 20 young, healthy participants consuming a low-fiber diet. The study investigated the effects of a 12 g daily dose of prebiotic fiber on lipopolysaccharide-binding protein (LBP) concentrations. While no significant changes were observed in the overall cohort, a subgroup with elevated baseline LBP showed a significant reduction in LBP levels.
Prebiotic Treatment in Patients with Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD)-A Randomized Pilot Trial.
RCT of 19 NAFLD patients with metabolic syndrome comparing 16 g/day of prebiotic (inulin-type fructans) to placebo for 12 weeks. Prebiotic increased fecal microbiota content but did not significantly change liver fat content or metabolic and inflammatory parameters.
Daily consumption of galactooligosaccharide gummies ameliorates constipation symptoms, gut dysbiosis, degree of depression and quality of life among sedentary university teaching staff: A double-blind randomized placebo control clinical trial.
A double-blind randomized placebo-controlled trial on 35 sedentary constipated adults assessed the impact of galactooligosaccharide (GOS) gummy supplementation. GOS increased beneficial gut bacteria, reduced harmful bacteria, improved gut health, reduced constipation severity, decreased depression by 40%, and improved quality of life by 22%.
Prebiotic Galacto-Oligosaccharides and Fructo-Oligosaccharides, but Not Acacia Gum, Increase Iron Absorption from a Single High-Dose Ferrous Fumarate Supplement in Iron-Depleted Women.
Randomized, single-blind, crossover study in 30 iron-depleted women testing the effect of coadministration of GOS, FOS, or acacia gum on iron absorption from a 100 mg ferrous fumarate supplement. GOS and FOS significantly increased iron absorption by approximately 50%, while acacia gum did not affect absorption.
Synbiotic Supplementation Improves Response to Iron Supplementation in Female Athletes during Training.
RCT of 20 female athletes receiving synbiotic supplementation alongside iron supplementation for 8 weeks. The synbiotic group showed improved iron status compared to placebo, suggesting enhanced iron uptake.
Gut microbiota analysis reveals a marked shift to bifidobacteria by a starter infant formula containing a synbiotic of bovine milk-derived oligosaccharides and Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis CNCM I-3446.
RCT testing a formula supplemented with bovine milk-derived oligosaccharides and Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis in infants. The test formula showed similar tolerability and growth compared to control, with a marked shift to a bifidobacterium-dominated faecal microbiota.
Quantitative real-time PCR assays to identify and quantify fecal Bifidobacterium species in infants receiving a prebiotic infant formula.
The study developed and validated quantitative real-time PCR assays to quantify Bifidobacterium species in infants' fecal samples. Infants receiving a prebiotic formula with galacto- and fructo-oligosaccharides showed a significant increase in total fecal bifidobacteria, resembling the microbiota of breast-fed infants.
Gut microbiota associated with the mitigation effect of synbiotics on adverse events of neoadjuvant chemotherapy in patients with esophageal cancer: A retrospective exploratory study.
Retrospective exploratory study on the effect of synbiotics (strain Shirota, strain Yakult, and galacto-oligosaccharides) in mitigating adverse events like febrile neutropenia and diarrhea in esophageal cancer patients undergoing neoadjuvant chemotherapy. The study analyzed gut microbiota to identify species associated with adverse events and the efficacy of synbiotics, finding certain bacterial abundances correlated with reduced adverse events.
Exploring Immune Development in Infants With Moderate to Severe Atopic Dermatitis.
This study explored the association between serum chemokine levels and atopic dermatitis (AD) severity in infants. Infants were randomized to receive either a control formula or one with short-chain galacto-oligosaccharides/long-chain fructo-oligosaccharides. The study found changes in chemokine levels and a reduction in Th2/Th1 chemokine ratios associated with the active intervention, contributing to immune biomarker profiling in AD.
A probiotic mixture including galactooligosaccharides decreases fecal β-glucosidase activity but does not affect serum enterolactone concentration in men during a two-week intervention.
RCT investigating the effects of a probiotic mixture with and without galactooligosaccharides (GOS) on serum enterolactone concentration and fecal metabolism in 18 healthy men. Probiotics with GOS decreased fecal β-glucosidase activity and increased bifidobacteria but did not significantly affect serum enterolactone concentration.
Comparison of early enteral nutrition in severe acute pancreatitis with prebiotic fiber supplementation versus standard enteral solution: a prospective randomized double-blind study.
Prospective randomized double-blind study comparing early enteral nutrition with prebiotic fiber supplementation versus standard enteral solution in 30 patients with severe acute pancreatitis. The study group showed improved hospital stay, duration of nutrition therapy, acute phase response, and overall complications compared to the control group.