We invite you to read our series of articles on the microbiota and prebiotics (Part 6)

This section is intended for dietitians, doctors, pharmacists and specialists who want to understand the mechanisms behind the science, rather than just marketing slogans.

Formulation principles – what functions of the microbiota does MegaPre™ support?

A modern selective prebiotic (such as MegaPre) should target key groups of bacteria associated with:

• the production of butyrate (Faecalibacterium prausnitzii),
• the integrity of the intestinal barrier (e.g. Akkermansia muciniphila),
• classic ‘good’ bacteria (Bifidobacterium spp., Lactobacillus spp.).

The benefits of MegaPre™ from a specialist’s perspective:

• increased production of SCFAs (particularly butyrate),
• improving the integrity of the intestinal barrier (promoting the synthesis of mucins, claudins and occludins),
• a reduction in ‘leaky gut’ and low-grade chronic inflammation,
• modulation of the immune response (increase in Treg cells, regulation of Th1/Th2),
• support for glucose and lipid metabolism,
• restoration of key microbiota functions following antibiotic treatment.

Mechanisms of action – microbiological, immunological and metabolic levels

At the level of the microbiota:

• stimulation of SCFA production,
• increasing microbial diversity,
• reduction of opportunistic bacteria through changes to the environment (pH, SCFAs).

At the level of the intestinal barrier:

• feeding colonocytes with butyrate,
• increased expression of tight junction proteins,
• increased mucin production and regeneration of the mucous membrane.

At the level of the immune system:

• Treg stimulation (regulation of immune tolerance),
• modulation of the Th2 response (important in allergies and atopic dermatitis),
• an overall reduction in chronic, low-grade inflammation.

At the metabolic level:

• the effect of SCFAs on GPR41/43 receptors,
• improved insulin sensitivity,
• an indirect effect on lipid profile and body weight (depending on the clinical context).

FAQ for professionals – MegaPre™ in the clinic

Which groups of bacteria does MegaPre™ work best on, and what is the evidence?

MegaPre™ supports butyrate-producing bacteria (Faecalibacterium, Roseburia, Eubacterium), barrier-forming bacteria (Akkermansia) and Bifidobacterium. Data from studies on the prebiotic fractions used in MegaPre indicate an improvement in microbial diversity and an increase in anti-inflammatory metabolites (SCFAs).

Can MegaPre be used in patients with IBS, IBD or following a course of antibiotics?

Yes – subject to the protocol being amended:

• IBS (particularly IBS-C): careful, gradual dose escalation,
• IBD: only in remission, with a particular focus on butyrate production,
• during and after a course of antibiotics: to support the restoration of the gut microbiota (with a probiotic).

How should the effects of MegaPre™ be assessed in a patient?

In patients, the effects of MegaPre™ can be assessed in two ways: symptomatically and functionally.

Symptomatically:

• the Bristol Stool Chart,
• symptom diary (bloating, pain, feeling of fullness),
• frequency of bowel movements,
• a subjective feeling of ‘lightness in the stomach’.

Functionally (where available):

• CRP, sometimes calprotectin,
• fasting blood glucose, HOMA-IR, lipid profile,
• microbiome studies (contribution of butyrate-producing bacteria, Bifidobacterium, etc.)

Is MegaPre™ suitable for patients on a low-FODMAP diet?

During the elimination phase – usually not. During the reintroduction phase – yes, but in gradually increasing doses. The low-FODMAP diet is intended as a short-term measure; long-term avoidance of FODMAPs may impair the quality of the gut microbiota. MegaPre can help restore gut flora and increase tolerance to FODMAPs if introduced carefully.

How does MegaPre affect SCFA production, and why is this clinically significant?

 MegaPre supports bacteria that produce SCFAs – particularly butyrate, propionate and acetate. This results in:

• the regeneration and nourishment of colonocytes,
• improved intestinal barrier integrity,
• reduction of low-grade inflammation,
• support for the immune response (increase in Treg cells),
• modulation of glucose and lipid metabolism.

In clinical practice, this means, amongst other things, a reduction in bloating and discomfort, better dietary tolerance, a more regular bowel movement pattern, improved immunity, and support for patients with IBS, IBD in remission, insulin resistance and metabolic disorders.

Read now or save for later:

Part 1: Why is the gut microbiota so important?: https://novolabs.pl/artykul/dlaczego-mikrobiota-jelitowa-ma-takie-znaczenie/

Part 2: How probiotics and prebiotics work: https://novolabs.pl/artykul/jak-dzialaja-probiotyki-i-prebiotyki/

Part 3: Why does combining a prebiotic and a probiotic (a synbiotic) produce the best results?: https://novolabs.pl/artykul/dlaczego-synbiotyk-dziala-najskuteczniej-i-dla-kogo/

Part 4: Frequently asked questions about prebiotics and probiotics: https://novolabs.pl/artykul/najczesciej-zadawane-pytania-o-prebiotyki-i-probiotyki/

Part 5: MegaPre™: a precisely targeted prebiotic https://novolabs.pl/artykul/megapre-precyzyjnie-ukierunkowany-prebiotyk/

Part 6: For experts: MegaPre™ in clinical practice https://novolabs.pl/artykul/dla-ekspertow-megapre-w-praktyce-klinicznej/

Bibliography – selected research and academic publications:

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2. Markowiak P., Śliżewska K. (2017). Effects of probiotics, prebiotics, and synbiotics on human health. Nutrients, 9(9):1021.
3. Pineiro M., Asp N.G. et al. (2008). FAO Technical Meeting on Prebiotics. Journal of Clinical Gastroenterology, 42(3 Pt 2):S156–S159.
4. Lu Z.X., Walker K.Z. et al. (2004). Arabinoxylan fibre improves metabolic control in people with type 2 diabetes. European Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 58(4):621–628.
5. Moro G. et al. (2006). A mixture of prebiotic oligosaccharides reduces the incidence of atopic dermatitis during the first six months of life. Archives of Disease in Childhood, 91(10):814–819.
6. Azcarate-Peril M.A. et al. (2017). Impact of short-chain galactooligosaccharides on the gut microbiome of lactose-intolerant individuals. PNAS.
7. Lindsay J.O. et al. (2006). Clinical, microbiological, and immunological effects of fructo-oligosaccharides in patients with Crohn’s disease. Gut, 55(3):348–355.
8. Bovee-Oudenhoven I.M.J. et al. (1997). Increasing the intestinal resistance of rats to the invasive pathogen Salmonella Enteritidis: additive effects of dietary lactulose and calcium. Gut, 40(4):497–504.
9. Goldenberg J.Z. et al. (2020). Probiotics for the prevention of Clostridioides difficile-associated diarrhoea in adults and children. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews.
10. Ford A.C. et al. (2018). Efficacy of probiotics in irritable bowel syndrome and chronic idiopathic constipation: a systematic review and meta-analysis. American Journal of Gastroenterology.
11. AlFaleh K., Anabrees J. (2014). Probiotics for the prevention of necrotising enterocolitis in preterm infants. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews.
12. Kim YT, Mills DA. Exploring the gut microbiome: probiotics, prebiotics, synbiotics, and postbiotics as key players in human health and disease management. Food Sci Biotechnol. 27 June 2024;33(9):2065-2080. doi: 10.1007/s10068-024-01620-1. Erratum in: Food Sci Biotechnol. 9 January 2025;34(14):3441-3446. doi: 10.1007/s10068-024-01809-4. PMID: 39130661; PMCID: PMC11315840.
13. Duysburgh C, Van den Abbeele P, Krishnan K, Bayne TF, Marzorati M. A synbiotic formulation containing spore-forming Bacillus strains and a prebiotic fibre blend consistently enhanced metabolic activity by modulating the gut microbiome in vitro. Int J Pharm X. 6 July 2019;1:100021. doi: 10.1016/j.ijpx.2019.100021. PMID: 31517286; PMCID: PMC6733369.