Comparing Prebiotic Fiber Supplements for Gut Health and Digestive Comfort

Summary

This study compares three dietary fiber supplements - LOAM prebiotic fiber, inulin, and a cellulose placebo - to evaluate their effects on intestinal gas production and gastrointestinal comfort in healthy adults who currently eat a low-fiber diet. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of the three supplements and asked to take one daily serving mixed with water for four weeks. Intestinal gas production will be measured using Ventos, a wearable device that continuously monitors intestinal gas when worn near the body. Participants wear the device for approximately 22 hours on two designated days per week throughout the 5-week study. Gastrointestinal symptoms including bloating, abdominal discomfort, and stool consistency will be tracked daily using a symptom diary and standardized questionnaires. The study is conducted entirely remotely. Participants receive their supplement and the Ventos device by mail and complete all study activities from home using a smartphone or computer. The study runs for five weeks, including one baseline week before supplementation begins. The goal is to determine whether LOAM prebiotic fiber causes less intestinal gas and better gastrointestinal tolerability during the initial weeks of supplementation compared to inulin, while also validating the Ventos device as a research measurement tool in a controlled supplement study.

Eligibility

Age range

18–65 years

Sex

All

Healthy volunteers

No

Interventions

• Dietary Supplement
  LOAM

  12 grams of LOAM daily

• Dietary Supplement
  Inulin

  12 Grams Inulin daily

• Dietary Supplement
  Cellulose Placebo

  12 grams of cellulose placebo daily

Location