The purpose of this clinical trial is to study the effects of potato resistant starch on the microbiota (microorganisms or bacteria) and short chain fatty acids levels of the gut. Levels will be measured and compared between elderly adults and in pre-elderly, adults from the general public. A correlation between the use of potato resistant starch and specific clinical and quality of life endpoints between elderly adults and in pre-elderly, adults from the general public will be studied. Hypothesis 1: The investigator hypothesizes that the microbiome in elderly adults (≥70 years) is less diverse and more prone to imbalance compared to adults (30-50 years) from the general population and that this imbalance of the gut microflora in the elderly adults is partially related to inadequate RS in their diet. Hypothesis 2: The investigator hypothesizes that ingestion of potato resistant starch of food grade quality (MSPrebiotic) will stabilize the gut microbiome (i.e. high Firmicutes/Bacteroides ratio)in LTC residents (i.e. similar to that of adults from the general population), thereby improving gut health and reducing the risk of diarrhea and/or gut infection.
To assess the impact on the potato resistant starch on the microbiota, pyrosequencing will be performed on stool samples to determine the original composition and assess any changes over the study period. In addition the impact of the potato resistant starch on inflammatory markers will be assess through blood samples collected over the study period.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
QUADRUPLE
Enrollment
84
Potato Resistant Starch
Placebo - Corn Starch
St. Boniface Hosptial Research Centre
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
Deer Lodge Centre
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
Tolerability of 30g dose of MSPrebiotic
Changes from baseline in the tolerability of ingestion of 30 g once/day of MSPrebiotic with respect to gastrointestinal side effects (excessive flatulence, changes in bowel movements, abdominal pain and bloating) at 2, 6, 10 and 14 weeks.
Time frame: 2, 6, 10 and 14 weeks
Gut health improvements
Changes from baseline in gut health improvements including: reduced constipation (i.e. improved ease of bowel movements without stool softeners), microbiome composition (i.e. favourable Firmicutes to Bacteroides ratio) at 2, 6, 10 and 14 weeks.
Time frame: 2, 6, 10 and 14 weeks
Levels of short chain fatty acids in stool and lipid level in blood
Changes from baseline of short chain fatty acid levels in stool including; acetate, propionate, butyrate, isobutyrate, valerate, isovalerate at 2, 4, 6, 10 and 14 weeks.
Time frame: 2, 4, 6, 10 and 14 weeks
Inflammatory marker
Changes from baseline of Inflammatory marker (IL-10, C-reactive protein, TNFα) levels in blood at 2, 6, 10 and 14 weeks.
Time frame: 2, 6, 10 and 14 weeks
Changes from baseline in overall health at 2, 6, 10 and 14 weeks
This will be assessed based on completion of a daily health log that assesses a wide variety of parameters.
Time frame: 2, 6, 10 and 14 weeks
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