Gulf War Illness (GWI) affects an estimated 25-32% of the over 700,000 coalition troops deployed to the Persian Gulf as part of the First Gulf War. GWI causes a range of pain, fatigue, gastrointestinal, skin, neurologic, and respiratory symptoms. New treatments to reduce GWI-associated morbidity are critically needed. Research suggests a role for the gastrointestinal microbiome in mediating health, including through impacting metabolism and immunity. The disruption of this microbiome plays a role in multiple diseases, and preliminary data suggest that Veterans with GWI have altered gut microbiota. The investigators will evaluate the effectiveness of a dietary fiber prebiotic supplement intervention on improving the quality of life of Veterans with GWI.
Who can participate
Age range50 Years – 85 Years
SexALL
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Inclusion criteria
✓. Ability to provide informed written consent
✓. Willing to comply with all study procedures and be available for the duration of the study (including providing stool samples)
✓. Meeting the modified Kansas GWI case definition\* with gut symptoms endorsed
✓. Deployed to Persian Gulf during Operations Desert Storm or Desert Shield56.Aged 50-85 years old
Exclusion criteria
✕. A Known SARS-CoV-2 infection in the last 60 days and/or with a diagnosis of post-acute sequelae of COVID-19 (PASC, sometimes called long COVID) defined as COVID-19 symptoms lasting for greater than 6 months.
✕. Subjects identified as, or appearing to, lack consent capacity
✕. Alcohol abuse (greater than 14 drinks per week for men and 7 drinks per week for women)
✕. Use of investigational drugs, biologics, or devices within 30 days prior to randomization.
✕
What they're measuring
1
Changes from baseline to the end of the study period in the composition of the gut microbiome
Timeframe: 2 years
2
Changes from baseline to the end of the study period in the concentration of short-chain fatty acids and other metabolites identified in the gut microbiome