2.3. Study Procedures
Baseline assessments included collection of a fecal sample and completion of a tolerability questionnaire. Each eligible participant completed three weekly visits to the center. Each week, participants provided a fresh stool sample, completed the tolerability questionnaire, and turned in used and unused study product packages, through which compliance was assessed. They were advanced to the next dose if they tolerated the prior dose. The study dietitian provided weekly nutrition counseling on adherence to the protocol and participants were given supplies of the study products for each week. At the end of the study, for each participant, the complete blood count and chemistry panel conducted at the screening visit were repeated. Based on our prior study in rodents showing an increase in short chain fatty acids with WGS supplementation [