The impact of three distinct probiotic supplements on the gut microbiota and its metabolites in healthy adults
File(s)
Supporting information
Author(s)
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
The effects of probiotics on the gut microbiota and microbial metabolites in healthy individuals are not well understood. Faecal and serum samples were collected at the start and end of a 3-month, double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomised study with three different probiotic formulations in free-living healthy adults. The composition of the faecal microbiota and levels of faecal and/or serum short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) and bile acids (BA) were measured and the probiotic formulations were found to impart differing effects including shifts in the composition and structure of the faecal microbiota, enhanced levels of circulating short chain fatty acids such as butyrate and propionate and elevated levels of sulphated bile acids in faeces. This was in contrast to the outcomes with the placebo population where very little change occurred over the study. These findings demonstrate that probiotic supplementation elicits formulation specific effects and that there are potential benefits for healthy individuals.
Date Issued
2026-05-01
Date Acceptance
2025-08-20
Citation
Beneficial Microbes, 2026, 17 (3), pp.221-234
ISSN
1876-2883
Publisher
Brill Academic Publishers
Start Page
221
End Page
234
Journal / Book Title
Beneficial Microbes
Volume
17
Issue
3
Copyright Statement
© D.R . Michael et al., 2025. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the CC BY 4.0 license.
License URL
Identifier
10.1163/18762891-bja00096
Publication Status
Published
Date Publish Online
2025-09-05