Data published in Gut Microbes indicated that six weeks of supplementation with 500 mg of omega-3 (providing 165 mg of EPA and 110 mg DHA) led to significant increases in Coprococcus spp. and Bacteroides spp, while decreases were also observed for Collinsella spp., which is associated with fatty-liver.
“In this study, we report small, consistent changes in the human intestinal microbiome associated with 6-weeks of supplementation with 500 mg of omega-3 FA and we compare them to changes seen with inulin fiber supplementation for the same length of time,” wrote the researchers.
“There were significant changes in the levels of bacterial fermentation products following a 6-week intervention with omega-3 supplementation and the overall effects were comparable to inulin fiber supplementation supporting the role of omega-3 as a potential prebiotic.”
Definition
The International Scientific Association for Probiotics and Prebiotics (ISAPP) updated the definition of “prebiotics” in 2017 to be: “A substrate that is selectively utilized by host microorganisms conferring a health benefit” (Nature Reviews Gastroenterology & Hepatology)
The ISAPP experts discussed what kind of compounds can be considered a prebiotic, with the currently established prebiotics being carbohydrate-based (inulin, FOS, GOS, XOS etc). However, substances like polyphenols, conjugated fatty acids derived from polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), and human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs), may also be considered candidates for prebiotics, if supported by the appropriate science.