The Effects of a Postbiotic Supplement on Biomarkers of Gastrointestinal, Cardiometabolic and Immunometabolic Health
The Effects of a Postbiotic Supplement on Biomarkers of Gastrointestinal, Cardiometabolic and Immunometabolic Health
This study is a randomized, double-blind, two-arm, placebo-controlled trial of N=80 (40/arm) apparently healthy men and women between 18 and 65 years old to be recruited at a single investigational center in Northeast Ohio (i.e., The Center for Applied Health Sciences).
This study will assess the effectiveness of a postbiotic supplement on various biomarkers of health. Consumption of this dietary supplement is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
Participants will attend three in-person study visits. During Visit 1, participants will be screened for participation (i.e., medical history, routine blood work, background baseline diet). Over the next 4 weeks, participants will attend two in-person visits: [visit 2 (week 0) and visit 3 (week 4)] wherein assessments of gut function [fecal microbiome diversity, short chain fatty acids (SCFA), and fecal butyrate], serum butyrate, serum zonulin, salivary cortisol, and Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Scale (GSRS) for gastrointestinal (GI) health, emotional states [Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS21)], and quality of life (SF-36 questionnaire) will be assessed. Participants will also be provided home kits with instructions on how to collect stool and saliva samples on two separate occasions (i.e., visit 2, visit 3) during the study.
• Comprehensive side effect profile/ adverse event monitoring will take place throughout the study duration. The study will be conducted following ICH-GCP guidelines to ensure participant safety and scientific integrity of the data.
Inclusion Criteria:
Age between 18 and 65 years (inclusive).
• Body Mass Index of 18.5-34.9 (inclusive).
• Body weight of at least 110 pounds.
• Normotensive (seated, resting systolic blood pressure <140 mm Hg and diastolic blood pressure < 90 mm Hg. If the first measurement is slightly elevated above these limits, the participant will be given a brief (5-minute) rest period, and two more measurements will be taken. The average of all three measurements will be used to determine eligibility.
• Normal seated, resting heart rate (<90 per minute).
• Willing to duplicate their previous 24-hour diet, refrain from caffeine for 24 hours, abstain from exercise for 48 hours prior, and fast for 10 hours prior to each laboratory visit.
• Participant agrees to maintain existing dietary and physical activity patterns throughout the study period.
• Participant is willing and able to comply with the study protocol.
• No medical history of gastrointestinal distress.
• Avoidance of cultured and fermented foods such as yogurt, kefir, kombucha during the duration of the study.
Exclusion Criteria:
Current use of GLP-1 inhibitors. • Individuals that adhere to a vegan diet.
• History of unstable or new-onset cardiovascular/cardiorespiratory, liver, or renal disease.
Current or previous diagnosis of prediabetes, diabetes, or an endocrine disorder.
• Fasting blood glucose of > 125 mg/dL.
• Alcohol consumption (more than 2 standard alcoholic drinks per day or more than 10 drinks per week) or drug abuse or dependence within the past 6 months.
• Current smokers or smoking within the past month.
• Current use of aspirin, or pharmaceuticals impacting mucin such as, but not limited to Mucinex (guaifenesin).
• History of hyperparathyroidism or an untreated thyroid disease.
• History of malignancy in the previous 5 years except for non-melanoma skin cancer (basal cell cancer or squamous cell cancer of the skin).
• Prior gastrointestinal bypass surgery (Lapband), etc.
• Being treated for or having other known gastrointestinal or metabolic diseases that might impact nutrient absorption or metabolism, e.g., short bowel syndrome, IBS/IBD, diarrheal illnesses, history of colon resection, gastro paresis, Inborn-Errors-of-Metabolism (such as PKU).
• Chronic inflammatory condition or disease (e.g., rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, IBS/IBD, Lupus, HIV/AIDS, etc.).
• Previous medical diagnosis of gout or fibromyalgia.
• Individuals who are cognitively impaired and/or who are unable to give informed consent.
• Pregnant, trying to become pregnant, less than 120 days postpartum, or are nursing. Women who participate in this study must agree to the use of contraception for the duration of the study and any woman that is sexually active will have to take a negative pregnancy test prior to enrolling. Women of childbearing age (any woman prior to menopause) regardless of their use of contraception will be provided a urine pregnancy test kit at their screening visit and take the test in private using the female lavatory after signing an informed consent.
• Clinically significant abnormal laboratory results at screening.
• Known sensitivity to any ingredient in the test formulations as listed in the study product.
• Currently participating in another research study with an investigational product or have been in another research study in the past 30 days.
• Any other diseases or conditions that, in the opinion of the medical staff, could confound the primary endpoints or place the participant at increased risk of harm if they were to participate.