The Effects of a Commercially Available Synbiotic on the Gut Microbiome and Cardiometabolic Health

Accordingly, the purpose of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of 1) supplementation with a novel Synbiotic (JuicePlus), or 2) placebo control over 30 days on the gut microbiome, cardiometabolic health, body weight, and body composition in healthy individuals. Specific Aim 1. Explore the changes in the gut microbiome using 16s rRNA sequencing to determine total bacterial counts, microbial diversity (alpha- and beta-diversity), short chain fatty acid (SCFA) concentration, circulating inflammatory biomarkers and mucosal immunity as a result of a novel synbiotic vs. placebo control. Specific Aim 2. Document the functional changes in cardiometabolic health-related parameters; specifically, heart rate, heart rate variability (HRV), blood pressure (central and peripheral), vascular stiffness (augmentation index, AIx, and pulse wave velocity, PWV), body weight and composition, blood glucose and lipids as a result of a novel synbiotic vs. placebo control. Specific Aim 3. Characterize the impact of synbiotic vs. placebo control on perceptions of gut health (questionnaire), and mood states, given the gut-brain axis.