Pilot Study on the Effect of a XOS95 on the Human Gut Microbiome

Inclusion Criteria: * Male or female adults aged 18 - 60 (inclusive) * Healthy as determined from medical history * Non-smoker, or ex-smoker ≥6 months * Body mass index 18.5 - 27.5kg/m2 (inclusive) * Female subjects of childbearing potential \[i.e. not surgically sterilized or post-menopausal (greater than one year since last menses)\] must have negative urine pregnancy test and must be using an effective birth control method , defined as: * Continuous use of oral or long acting injected contraceptive for at least 2 months prior to study entry , or * Use of an intra-uterine device or implantable contraceptive, or * Use of double barrier methods of birth control, or * Abstinence from heterosexual intercourse * Willing to avoid alcohol consumption for 24 h prior to every clinic visit * Willing to maintain their regimens of medications and supplements known to alter GI function (including, but not limited to, iron supplements, calcium, and anti-depressants) * Willing to maintain a stable body weight, activity level and dietary pattern except for use of the study products, as directed * Willing and able to provide informed written consent Exclusion Criteria: * Pregnancy or lactation, or subject unwilling to take appropriate contraceptives for the duration of the study * Use of prescription non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (or daily use of over the counter non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs \>1month), steroids, corticosteroids, or any other prescription anti-inflammatory drugs within 3 months prior to visit 1 * Individuals taking any over the counter or prescription medications, including natural health products, that may alter lipid profiles including, but not limited to fish oil (omega-3 fatty acids), statins, fibrates, bile acid exchanger resin, phytosterols, niacin or its analogues, carnitine, polyglucosamines (Chitosan) or other lipid-binding ingredients within the 3 months prior to visit 1 * Individuals taking any over the counter or prescription medications, including natural health products that may alter blood glucose (e.g. biguanides (Metformin), Alpha-lipoic Acid (ALA), Gymnema sylvestre) or insulin modulating medications (e.g. sulfonylureas, meglitinides, D-phenylalanine derivatives, thiazolidinediones, DPP-4 inhibitors, alpha-glucosidase inhibitors, bile acid sequestrants within 3 months prior to visit 1 * Use of proton pump inhibitors or medications which inhibit peristaltic movement (e.g. opioids, loperamide) * Unstable use (i.e. initiation or change in dose) of antihypertensive medications or thyroid hormone replacement medications within 3 months prior to visit 1 * Use of any weight-loss programs or weight-loss medications (prescription or over-the counter) including, but not limited to, lipase inhibitors, within 3 months prior to visit * Use of over the counter or prescription laxatives or stool softeners within 1 month prior to baseline (V2) * Use of antibiotics (other than topical) within 2 months prior to baseline (V2) * Use of prebiotic or fiber supplements (e.g. fructans and galacto-oligosaccharides (FOS, GOS), psyllium, fiber, inulin, glucomannan, acacia fiber/gum) or probiotic supplements (i.e. live microorganisms) within 4 weeks of baseline (V2) * Consumption of specific functional prebiotic- or probiotic-rich foods within 4 weeks of baseline (V2) (Appendix 3) * History of blood clotting disorders or use of coagulation-inhibiting drugs (e.g. warfarin) * Individuals with achlorhydria * Presence of major diseases such as diabetes, gastrointestinal, endocrine, cardiovascular, pancreatic, renal, or liver disease * Chronic diarrhea or constipation, irritable bowel syndrome, celiac disease, gluten-sensitive enteropathy, or inflammatory bowel disease * Abdominal or gastrointestinal surgery within the previous 12 months or planned abdominal or gastrointestinal surgery or procedures such as colonoscopy in the next 4 months * Recent gastrointestinal food-borne illness (within 1 month prior to visit 1) * History of neurological disease (e.g. Parkinson's disease, stroke, traumatic brain injury, etc.) * History of cancer (excluding non-melanoma skin cancer and basal cell carcinoma) in the past 5 years * Uncontrolled hypertension defined as a seated resting systolic blood pressure ≥140 mmHg and/or diastolic blood pressure ≥90 mmHg * Abnormal laboratory test results of clinical significance, including, but not limited to ALT or AST ≥1.5X the upper limit of normal at screening (visit 1) * Presence or history (past 6 months) of alcohol or drug abuse; alcohol use of \>2 standard alcoholic drinks per day * Extreme dietary habits (e.g. vegan or very low carbohydrate diets, gluten-free diet, low FODMAP diet) * Subject has a known allergy or intolerance to the test products or placebo * Subject is unwilling or unable to abide by the requirements of the protocol * Any condition that would interfere with the subject's ability to comply with study instructions, might confound the interpretation of the study, or put the subject at risk * Subject has taken an investigational health product or has participated in a research study within 30 days prior to first study visit