Kennesaw, GA—Deerland Probiotics and Enzymes announced the publication of a clinical study of their prebiotic, PreforPro®, a bacteriophage (phage) cocktail, which supports gut microbiota and systemic markers, according to a press release.

The study, titled “PHAGE study: Effects of Supplemental Bacteriophage Intake on Inflammation and Gut Microbiota in Healthy Adults,” was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover intervention trial with 43 participants ages 18 to 65.

The study’s purpose was to determine how taking PreforPro daily influences gut microbiota in healthy adults who have reported previous gastrointestinal distress. Some other areas also studied include, according to the release, phage’s effects on microbial production of short chain fatty acids and the alterations of lipid metabolism and markers of local and systemic inflammation.

The release states that after 28-days of using PreforPro, multiple bacterial species were favorably modified. Those species include an increase in genera Eubacterium, an abundant genera found in the healthy human gut, as well as a reduction in circulating pro-inflammatory cytokine II-4, which is correlated with autoimmune and allergic responses.

“Ingesting probiotics are only half the healthy gut microbiome equation; effective prebiotics are the other half that encourage resident beneficial bacteria to populate," John Deaton, VP of science and technology, Deerland Probiotics and Enzymes, said in the release. "PreforPro is unique in that it is a bacteriophage that is patented for use as a prebiotic, and it’s attractive for consumers who are concerned about starch consumption and having to take large doses – as PreforPro is a non-starch/fiber compound that exerts its prebiotic abilities in a small, 15mg dose.”