COPD supplement trial found no clear changes in gut microbes
In people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), this small exploratory analysis did not demonstrate supplement effects on gut microbes or body-wide inflammation after three months.
Based on the published abstract. The full paper may contain additional methods, results and limitations.
The 30-second takeaway
This preliminary analysis found gut microbial differences between people with COPD and healthy participants. Compared with placebo, the supplement did not demonstrate changes in gut microbes or body-wide inflammation over three months. The small exploratory analysis leaves uncertainty about undetected effects and does not demonstrate a clinical benefit.
The abstract provides no intervention effect estimates or confidence intervals. Its small, exploratory treatment groups limit what can be concluded about effects that may have gone undetected.
What researchers found
Gut microbiome and body-wide inflammation
Supplement versus placebo after 3 months; intervention effect estimates and confidence intervals were not reported.
The baseline comparison
At baseline, people with COPD had a different mix of gut bacteria and less diversity within their microbial communities. This observational comparison shows an association with COPD but cannot establish what caused the differences.
Testing the combination
The supplement combined prebiotic fibers with vitamin D, tryptophan and fatty acids. The trial therefore assessed that combination, leaving the contribution of each ingredient unresolved. Researchers collected stool, blood and dietary records.
The original publication
Characterizing gut microbial dysbiosis and exploring the effect of prebiotic fiber supplementation in patients with COPD.
van Iersel LEJ, Beijers RJHCG, Simons SO et al.
Eur J Nutr · 2025
- PubMed ID
- 40481968
- Record checked
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