Active not recruitingNAINTERVENTIONAL

Probiotics in Wellbeing

This research wants to find out if taking a probiotic supplement every day for 12 weeks can help reduce mild inflammation and improve overall wellbeing in healthy adults. We'll be giving 40 adults either a probiotic capsule or a dummy capsule that looks the same but contains no active ingredients. Neither the participants nor the research team will know who is getting what until the study ends. We’ll take blood, stool, and urine samples, and ask participants to fill out questionnaires about their mood, anxiety, quality of life, and memory. The main goal is to see if the probiotic reduces inflammation and if this is linked to better wellbeing and memory. The findings will help us understand the connection between our gut, immune system, and brain, and plan future research.

At a glance

Status

Active not recruiting

Phase

Sponsor

University of Reading

Enrolment target

Start

01 Sep 2026

Estimated completion

01 Sep 2027

Healthy Participants

What is this study about?

This study is designed to explore how our gut health might influence our overall wellbeing. We know that the tiny living organisms in our gut, called the gut microbiota, play a big role in how our bodies function. They can affect our immune system, which in turn can influence our mood, how we feel generally, and even how well our brain works.

In this research, we want to see if taking a specific probiotic supplement – which contains helpful bacteria – every day for 12 weeks can make a difference. We're particularly interested in whether it can reduce low-level inflammation in the body. Inflammation is a natural response, but if it's constantly active, it can affect many areas of our health. We also want to find out if reducing inflammation might lead to improvements in how people feel, their mood, and their memory.

By carefully comparing a probiotic with a 'dummy' capsule (a placebo) in healthy adults, we hope to learn more about the complex links between our gut, our immune system, and our brain. This study isn't about treating an illness, but rather understanding how probiotics might support health and wellbeing. The results will help us decide if a larger study is needed in the future.

Key takeaways

This study explores how a daily probiotic might affect wellbeing in healthy adults.
It lasts 12 weeks and involves taking one capsule a day.
You won't know if you're getting the probiotic or a dummy capsule.
It involves two clinic visits and one remote check-in.
Blood, stool, and urine samples will be collected.
The goal is to understand the gut-immune-brain connection for future research.

Who may be eligible?

This study is looking for healthy adults between 18 and 60 years old. We need people who are generally well and have a body weight that falls within a typical range (measured by something called BMI, which stands for Body Mass Index).

There are certain reasons why someone might not be able to join. For example, if you've taken antibiotics recently (within the last 3 months) or if you regularly take other probiotics or prebiotics, you wouldn't be able to take part. Also, if you have long-term problems with your gut, like irritable bowel syndrome, or certain immune conditions, this study might not be suitable for you.

We also can't include people who are pregnant or breastfeeding, or anyone with allergies to certain foods or medicines that might affect the study. The aim is to ensure all participants are as similar as possible in their general health, so we can clearly see the effects of the probiotic.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

Are you between 18 and 60 years old?
Are you generally healthy and well?
Have you avoided antibiotics in the last 3 months?
Do you currently avoid taking probiotic or prebiotic supplements?
Are you not pregnant or breastfeeding?
Do you not have any long-term gut or immune conditions?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

If you decide to take part in this study, you'll be involved for about 12 weeks. First, you'll have an initial visit at the study clinic. During this visit, we'll take some blood, stool (poo), and urine samples, and you'll complete some questionnaires about your health and wellbeing. We'll also check your weight and height.

After this, you'll start taking one capsule each day for 12 weeks. You'll either receive the probiotic supplement or a dummy capsule that looks exactly the same. You won't know which one you're taking, and neither will the research team. About halfway through, we'll contact you for a quick chat to see how you're getting on and if you're taking the capsules regularly.

At the end of the 12 weeks, you'll have a final visit back at the clinic. This will be similar to your first visit, where we'll collect more samples and ask you to fill out the same questionnaires again. Your total commitment will be two in-person visits and one remote check-in over a 12-week period.

Potential risks and benefits

Taking part in this study may or may not directly benefit you. We are researching whether probiotics can reduce inflammation and improve wellbeing, but we can't guarantee any specific personal benefits. There are some minor risks involved, mainly from the blood samples (like slight bruising or discomfort) and the time commitment. Some people might experience mild digestive changes when taking probiotics, but these are usually temporary. You are free to withdraw from the study at any time, for any reason, without it affecting your medical care, and your decision will be fully respected.

Locations (1)

The University of Reading
Verified postcode
Reading, United Kingdom

Common questions

What is a 'probiotic'?

Probiotics are live microorganisms, often called 'good bacteria', that can offer health benefits when consumed, usually found in foods like yogurt or supplements.

What is a 'placebo' capsule?

A placebo is a 'dummy' capsule that looks identical to the real probiotic but contains no active ingredients. It helps us compare the actual effect of the probiotic.

Why don't participants know if they're getting the probiotic or placebo?

This is called a 'blinded' study. It helps ensure that any changes we see are truly due to the capsule and not just because someone expects to feel better or worse.

What is 'inflammation' and why is it being measured?

Inflammation is your body's natural response to injury or infection. We're measuring low-level inflammation to see if the probiotic can help calm it down, as it's linked to overall health.

Will I get my test results?

The study collects samples for research purposes. While you won't get individual results, the overall findings will be shared once the study is completed and analysed.