PreforPro® is a patented prebiotic composed of bacteriophages that specifically target Escherichia coli, causing bacterial cell lysis and releasing nutrients that fuel beneficial gut microbes like Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium species (1). In a 4-week randomized, double-blind trial, combining PreforPro with B. animalis subsp. lactis BL04 improved gastrointestinal inflammation (p = 0.01) and significantly boosted lactobacilli and other SCFA-producing taxa compared to probiotic alone (1), (2).
How PreforPro Supports Probiotics in Gut Health
PreforPro enhances probiotic effectiveness by selectively targeting harmful Escherichia coli in the gut. This targeted approach reduces competition for nutrients and space, creating a supportive environment that promotes robust probiotic colonization.
In clinical studies, the synergistic combination of PreforPro and probiotics, particularly B. animalis subsp. lactis BL04, has shown promising results:
- Increased Lactobacillus abundance: Users saw significantly higher levels of beneficial Lactobacillus bacteria, crucial for healthy digestion and immunity.
- Enhanced SCFA-producing bacteria: Short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), which support gut lining integrity and anti-inflammatory effects, increased notably in users supplementing with PreforPro and probiotics.
- Reduced gastrointestinal inflammation: Participants exhibited improved markers of gut inflammation (e.g., reduced IL-4 cytokine levels), indicating better gut barrier function and immune response.
- Improved gut microbiome balance: Overall microbiota diversity improved, suggesting a more resilient and healthier intestinal environment.
Collectively, these improvements underline PreforPro’s value in maximizing probiotic supplementation outcomes, supporting gut health, immunity, and overall wellness (2), (3).
PreforPro + Probiotics: A Promising Pair for Vaginal Health
Oral PreforPro may benefit vaginal health as well. A Phase 3 clinical trial (NCT05590195) is evaluating 90 days of PreforPro supplementation in women aged 18–45 with bacterial vaginosis, using vaginal swabs, stool samples, and quality-of-life questionnaires to assess outcomes (4). This large randomized trial is among the first to explore PreforPro’s role in restoring a balanced vaginal microbiome through the gut–vagina axis.
Oral PreforPro + Probiotics to Support Vaginal Microbiome
Meta-analyses affirm that oral lactobacilli—particularly L. acidophilus, lactobacillus rhamnosus, and lactobacillus crispatus—can restore vaginal flora and reduce recurrence of bacterial vaginosis (5), (6). Synbiotic products combining PreforPro with vaginally active lactobacilli report up to a 6-fold increase in gut lactobacilli within 24 hours, with over 80% of users experiencing improved vaginal comfort after prolonged use (1), (7).
Mechanisms: From Gut to Vagina
Via the gut–vaginal axis, oral probiotics enhanced by PreforPro proliferate in the gut, migrate to the vaginal tract (often via perineal transfer), and produce lactic acid, hydrogen peroxide, and bacteriocins, which lower vaginal pH and inhibit pathogens such as Gardnerella, Candida, and uropathogenic E. coli (5), (8), (9).
Safety, Clinical Insight, and Outlook
PreforPro has demonstrated a strong safety profile in healthy adults, with minimal impact on overall microbiome balance (1), (2). While vaginal lactobacilli are generally safe, efficacy depends on strain specificity, dosage, and administration methods (6). PreforPro-enhanced synbiotics, backed by ongoing rigorous trials, represent a novel and promising approach to women's vaginal health.