The Modulatory Effects of Dietary Fibres on the Composition and Function of the Gut Microbiome- A Dose-response Study
The Modulatory Effects of Dietary Fibres on the Composition and Function of the Gut Microbiome- A Dose-response Study
The study involves taking pectin fibre at increasing doses ranging from 5g, 10g and 15g for a total period of 6 weeks with the increase every 2 weeks. Study subjects will be healthy volunteers recruited from the University and local population and will be asked to attend the laboratory on 4 occasions; at the start of the intervention and every 2 weeks, at the end of each dosing period. At each study visit (~3hrs), participants will be asked to provide a stool and blood sample and will have blood pressure measured. In the week before each study visit, participants will record their food intake.
The study aims to assess the optimal dosage of pectin required to see beneficial effects on inflammation and gut microbiome composition. 15 healthy, non-obese volunteers will be recruited following a successful medical screening. Between recruitment and first study visit, and at the end of each dosing period (before each study visit), participants will be asked to complete a dietary record (4 days), to collect a stool sample on the day before the study visit and to fast from midnight the night before this visit.
At both study visits, participants will have weight, hip/waist circumference and blood pressure measured. They will be asked to complete some questionnaires. After completion of the first study day, participants will be provided with the required dosage of pectin for the 2-week dosing period. They will be given the required doses of pectin portioned in individual sachets, with instructions to add the contents of one sachet a day to juice, smoothies or water and to consume immediately. Study visits will be scheduled at the end of every 2-weeks.
Inclusion Criteria:
Exclusion Criteria: