Overview

The main aim of this study is to assess the effect of a chewing gum containing galactooligosaccharides (GOS) on the body mass index (BMI), the metabolism and the oral and intestinal microbiomes in a population of overweight adults.

Eligibility

Inclusion Criteria:

• Informed Consent (IC) according to ICH/GCP regulations prior to any study-specific procedures
• Adults aged ≥ 25 years
• Overweight as determined by a Body Mass Index \> 25 kg/m2
• Metabolic risk factor: at least one of the following criteria: i. HbA1c ≥ 5.7% ii. Elevated liver enzymes (ALAT, ASAT, Gamma-Glutamyltransferase (gGT) at least one above normal range of the assay used in the respective laboratory) iii. LDL-cholesterol \> 3.0 mmol/l iv. Triglycerides \> 1.7 mmol/l
• Ability and willingness to follow the study protocol (e.g., cognitive capacity for compliance, gum chewing, faecal sample collection)
• Access to a scale to self-report weight
• Access and willing to use an electronic device (e.g., mobile phone, computer or tablet)
• Laboratory assessments of blood parameters were performed within a reasonable timeframe prior to the eligibility assessment, as determined by the PI.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Systemic antibiotic use within the last 2 months
• History of bariatric surgery
• Initiation or dose adjustment of pharmaceutical treatment for dyslipidemia or hyperglycemia within the last 3 months or during the study (e.g., metformin, statins, SGLT2 inhibitors)
• Use of prebiotic or probiotic supplementation (duration \>1 month) within the last 6 weeks (at PI's discretion, based on medication summary of TP)
• Medical weight management treatments within the last year (e.g., Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 (GLP-1) agonists)
• Recent (\<1 month) dose adjustment, initiation or termination of proton pump inhibitors use (e.g., pantoprazole, omeprazole)
• Professionally supervised intensive (\>6 months of ongoing supervision) weight management treatments (e.g., structured nutrition counselling) within the last year (at the PI's discretion)
• Diagnosis of Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes requiring bolus insulin therapy or frequent dose adjustments in base line insulin
• Regular alcohol consumption exceeding two (women) or three (men) standard units (10 g of pure alcohol) per day
• Consumption of more than one nicotine product (e.g., (e-)cigarette, gum) per month
• Regular drug abuse (once per week over the past 4 months)
• Any stage of known pregnancy or lactation period (self-reported)
• Active cancer or recent cancer treatment (within the last 4 months)
• Chronic, active inflammatory diseases (e.g., inflammatory bowel disease, rheumatoid arthritis)
• Severe gastrointestinal disorders (e.g., celiac disease, short bowel syndrome, gastroparesis)
• Known eating disorder (medically diagnosed)
• Participation in another investigation with an investigational drug within the 30 days preceding randomisation
• Dependency from the Sponsor-Investigator
• Last visit with TP \> 22 days prior to eligibility assessment