The Effect of Prebiotic Fibres on Weight Loss in an Overweight and Obese Population

Prebiotics are nutrients that specifically utilized by the gut microbiota. Beneficial health effects of prebiotics are generally attributed to 1) stimulation of beneficial bacteria and SCFA production, and consequently; improved barrier function, regulation of enteroendocrine peptide secretion and resistance to inflammatory stimuli; 2) modulation of lipid metabolism, possibly by suppression of lipogenic enzymes and thus decreased synthesis of lipoproteins and triglycerides; and 3) increased mineral absorption.

Inulin is recognized as a common prebiotic. Fibersol-2 is a resistant starch that has been suggested to induce satiety, when given in a dose of 10 g. Intake of inulin has been shown to induce changes in the microbial abundance and increase production of SCFA19; whereas resistant starch has been shown to improve insulin sensitivity and postprandial glucose AUC20. However, the effects of an intervention with a combination of these two fibers on obesity and body composition during an energy restricted diet have not been addressed. Supplements with other types of fibres in addition to energy restriction have shown additional effects in weight reduction.

In this study, the effects of a combination product of two prebiotic fibres on additional weight loss during energy restriction in a placebo-controlled, randomized parallel study with a duration of 12 weeks will be tested. Furthermore, the effects of the fibres on the gut microbial composition, markers of metabolic syndrome (MetS) and glucose metabolism will be tested. The active diet will contain intervention products high in dietary fibre and the placebo diet will contain maltodextrin. The fiber-containing dietary supplements will add approximately 20 g of prebiotic fibres per day, where approximately 10 g will be inulin and approximately 10 g will be resistant maltodextrin. The intervention products and placebo will be consumed as milk. The fiber-containing dietary supplement is expected to induce additional weight loss, compared to placebo and to affect the gut microbiome and markers of metabolic disease.

Inclusion criteria

• BMI: 28-45 kg/m2
• Non-smoking
• Haemoglobin level ≥7 mmol/L

Exclusion criteria

• Use of antibiotics three months prior to study and during the study. If a participant uses antibiotics prior to randomization, the participant will be invited to be re-screened 3 months after the last use of antibiotics, provided that it is realistic to complete the study no later than the scheduled LPLV
• Weight change >3 kg two months prior to study
• Blood donation other than for this study <1 month prior to study and during study.
• Participation in clinical trials other than for this <1 month prior to study and during study
• Intensive physical training/ elite athlete (>10 hours of strenuous physical activity per week)
• Unstable medication for dyslipidaemia and elevated blood pressure (the participant must have had a stable dose in the three months prior to study start), and use of systemic glucocorticoids
• Medication for T2D
• Treatment with metformin
• Dietary supplements with pro- and/or prebiotics and/or fibre 6 weeks prior to study
• Special dietary regimen (vegetarians, vegans etc.), as evaluated by study staff
• Lactose intolerance or allergy to components in the intervention products
• Gluten intolerance
• Maltodextrin intolerance
• Lactation, pregnancy or planning of pregnancy during the study
• Gastro intestinal and liver disorders
• Chronic inflammation disorders (excluding obesity)
• Diagnosed psychiatric disorder including depression requiring treatment
• Surgical treatment of obesity and abdominal surgery
• Inability, physically or mentally, to comply with the procedures required by the study protocol, as evaluated by the study staff