Influence of a food supplement on the gut microbiome in healthy overweight women

Objectives: We attempted to influence the gut microbiome in 26 women with a BMI (Body Mass Index: kg/m(2)) between 30 and 35, and aged 25 to 35 years with an herbal yeast-based dietary supplement (3 x 5ml/d) during 3 weeks in a first pilot trial. Methods: Shotgun Metagenomic Sequencing in 2 stool samples of each participant. Results: The majority of the bacteria in the gut microbiome were altered to an extent, which could have an impact on health. Five bacterial species found were identical to probiotic species known as good butyrate producers and described as beneficial for the gut. Seventy percent of our study cohort showed an increase in the majority of these beneficial microbes during the study. The ratio of Firmicutes to Bacteroidetes is an important parameter in analyzing overweight persons. Twelve of the participants initially showed a Firmicutes to Bacteroidetes ratio above 1.6. After three weeks, five of these women normalized. Overall, 14 of the 26 participants had a reduction of their F/B ratios. Conclusions: A baker's yeast-based food supplement can modulate the gut microbiome of overweight young women within 3 weeks to an extent described in the literature as influencing well-being and health.