ADM clinical study finds digestive health improvements in cats

Image | adobe.stock/Vera Kuttelvaserova

A recent clinical study conducted by ADM published in Animals¹, sought to investigate the usage of “postbiotic heat-treated Bifidobacterium longum CECT 7347 (PRIOME Gut Health) combined with Fibersol-2† (Pet Fibersol), a soluble dietary fiber.”² Researchers found that through utilizing Bifidobacterium longum CECT 7347 and Fibersol-2, the intestinal health of adult cats improved both before and after changing diets.

As mentioned in the press release², postbiotic Bifidobacterium longum CECT 7347 (PRIOME Gut Health) may show potential benefits for supporting and balancing gut microbiota, as well as strengthening the intestinal barrier. In regard to Fibersol-2, the dietary fiber may assist bacteria levels through benefits such as, reduced body fat, improved adaptation to diets high in protein with better odor control, and also a low glycemic index.² By using these two components, researchers hoped that digestive health would be improved in cats.

Mark Lotsch, President of Global Health & Wellness at ADM, said², “We understand the vital role gut health plays in pets' overall well-being, particularly during dietary changes. Insights from this study will open new doors for creating innovative pet food solutions that enhance digestive health and nutritional balance.”

ADM’s Research and Development department worked with China Agricultural University (Beijing, China), to conduct the study. In order to gather data, researchers used 24 cats at the Pet Nutrition Center located in Beijing, China, which were then broken up into two groups with 12 cats in each group.² These groups consisted of an equal amount of six females and 6 males. The press release mentioned that, “From day 1 to day 14, both groups of cats were fed lower protein diet (33%) (LPF). The treated group received a supplement of 0.16% functional additives, including Bifidobacterium longum CECT 7347 and Fibersol-2, while the control group did not receive this supplement. From day 15 to day 28, both groups switched to higher-protein diet (40%) (HPF) and the treated group continued to receive the same supplement.”²

Researchers witnessed that cats in the group that were given the supplement, “showed significant improvements in serum lipopolysaccharide (LPS)”², which is a marker for intestinal permeability which is applied to both before and after dietary changes. Additionally, cats receiving the supplement experienced a rise in secretary immunoglobulin A (sIgA) when compared to the control group that didn’t receive the supplement. This may potentially show improvement in immune function, an increase of Blautia and other benefits supporting the microbiome.²

In the study, both groups of cat participants saw a boost in fecal pH but the group being given the supplement showed a lower pH than the control group. Researchers mentioned, “This difference may be explained by the higher levels of Blautia, a beneficial bacterium that produces organic acids like lactic acid, helping to regulate intestinal pH levels.”²

References

1. Wang, F.; Gao, S.; Peng, Q.; Tan, L.; Chen, S.; Xia, Z. Effects of Heat-Treated Bifidobacterium longum CECT-7347 Combined with Fibersol-2 on the Intestinal Health of Cats Submitted to an Abrupt Dietary Change: A Randomized Controlled Study. Animals 2024, 14, 2179. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14152179
2. ADM pioneers groundbreaking study demonstrating improvements in cat digestive health https://www.adm.com/en-us/news/news-releases/2025/1/adm-pioneers-groundbreaking-study-demonstrating-improvements-in-cat-digestive-health/ (accessed Feb 6, 2025).