Prebiotics are nondigestible components of food that act to modulate and support the gut microbiota. Emerging evidence suggests that prebiotics may play an even more significant role than probiotics, serving metabolic, trophic and protective functions within the gut. PreticX XOS (xylo-oligosaccharides) enhances the growth of Bifidobacteria, an important intestinal bacterial genus that maintains healthy gastrointestinal function. Clinical research also shows that XOS enhances the production of butyrate, a short chain fatty acid (SCFA) that serves as a major energy source for colonocytes. In preclinical models, XOS supports intestinal barrier function, cytokine balance and colon cell health. In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study, 32 healthy adult subjects were given 1.4 grams or 2.8 grams of PreticX XOS for 8 weeks. The Bifidobacterium count increased 21% from the baseline at 4 weeks and 17% from the baseline at 8 weeks in the highest dose group. In an in vitro study using clinical isolates from hospital patients, XOS was found to stimulate growth of all 35 Bifidobacterium strains in a dose-dependent manner. XOS also supported growth of 38%-62% of Lactobacilli strains tested. Evidence from a small clinical trial of 14 healthy women additionally suggests that XOS supports bowel regularity and emotional well-being. In contrast to FOS and other common prebiotics, studies on XOS and report very low incidence of gas and bloating. This formula also provides cranberry, which favorably modulates intestinal microbiota in preclinical models, supporting the abundance of beneficial taxa such as Bifidobacteria and Bacteroidaceae.