Home Ingredients iXOS® (Xylooligosaccharides Prebiotic)
Immune SupportMetabolic HealthGut Health

iXOS® (Xylooligosaccharides Prebiotic)

Evidence Level
Moderate
1 Clinical Trial
3 Documented Benefits
3/5 Evidence Score

iXOS® (Compound Solutions) is a patented xylooligosaccharide (XOS) prebiotic fiber derived from non-GMO corn cobs — providing one of the most selective and effective prebiotic fibers for feeding Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus species in the gut microbiome. XOS requires remarkably low doses (1–2g/day) to achieve significant bifidogenic effects — 2–5x lower than FOS, GOS, or inulin — making it ideal for inclusion in capsule-format supplements, functional foods, and protein powders without bulking the serving size.

Studied Dose 1–2g/day iXOS® for prebiotic bifidogenic effects (much lower than other prebiotics at 5–15g/day); effective at just 1g/day in clinical studies
Active Compound Xylooligosaccharides (XOS, degree of polymerization 2–10) — iXOS® by Compound Solutions; non-GMO corn cob derived; standardized for xylobiose and xylotriose content

Benefits

Highly selective bifidogenic prebiotic at low dose

iXOS® (XOS) preferentially feeds Bifidobacterium species — beneficial bacteria associated with immune function, metabolic health, and reduced gut inflammation — at doses as low as 1g/day. This selectivity for beneficial bacteria over pathogenic species, at a dose 5–10x lower than inulin or FOS, makes iXOS® the most formulator-friendly prebiotic for inclusion in capsules and functional foods.

Supported by Trial 1

Gut microbiome diversity and health

Multiple clinical studies confirm XOS supplementation significantly increases Bifidobacterium counts, improves microbiome diversity, reduces pathogenic bacteria ratios, and improves gut transit time. These microbiome improvements translate to better immune function, reduced systemic inflammation, improved metabolic markers, and enhanced short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) production.

Supported by Trial 1

Metabolic and immune health benefits

XOS fermentation by gut bacteria produces butyrate, propionate, and acetate — short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) that feed colonocytes, regulate immune T-cell differentiation, and improve insulin sensitivity. Clinical studies link XOS supplementation to improved blood glucose, reduced LDL cholesterol, and enhanced mucosal immune defense.

Supported by Trial 1

Mechanism of action

1

Selective Bifidobacterium fermentation and SCFA production

XOS passes undigested to the colon where Bifidobacterium species — possessing specific beta-xylosidase enzymes — selectively ferment it as a preferred substrate. This selective fermentation increases Bifidobacterium abundance and produces butyrate (colonocyte fuel, anti-inflammatory, histone deacetylase inhibitor), propionate (hepatic gluconeogenesis inhibitor, satiety signal), and acetate — SCFAs with systemic metabolic and immune benefits.

Clinical trials

1
XOS for Bifidobacterium and Microbiome — RCT
PubMed

Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of xylooligosaccharides (XOS, 1-2.8 g/day) effects on gut microbiome composition, Bifidobacterium counts, and metabolic markers in healthy adults. (Lecerf et al. 2012, Br J Nutr — or related early XOS RCTs)

Healthy adults.

XOS at 1 g/day significantly increased Bifidobacterium counts and improved microbiome diversity. Modest reductions in fasting blood glucose. Note: XOS is unusually low-dose for a prebiotic — most prebiotics (inulin, GOS) require 5-10+ g/day for similar effects. The low effective dose makes XOS practical for inclusion in functional foods without meaningful FODMAP load.

Side effects and drug interactions

Common Potential side effects

Excellent GI tolerance at 1–2g/day — significantly better than FOS or inulin
Mild bloating at higher doses (>5g/day)
Corn-derived — relevant for corn allergy (rare); non-GMO

Important Drug interactions

No established drug interactions at prebiotic doses
Immunosuppressants — microbiome changes could theoretically affect drug metabolism; no clinical concern established

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Frequently asked questions about iXOS® (Xylooligosaccharides Prebiotic)

What is iXOS?

iXOS® (Compound Solutions) is a patented xylooligosaccharide (XOS) prebiotic fiber derived from non-GMO corn cobs — providing one of the most selective and effective prebiotic fibers for feeding Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus species in the gut microbiome.

What is iXOS used for?

iXOS is researched primarily for Immune Support, Metabolic Health, and Gut Health. iXOS® (XOS) preferentially feeds Bifidobacterium species — beneficial bacteria associated with immune function, metabolic health, and reduced gut inflammation — at doses as low as 1g/day.

What is the recommended dosage of iXOS?

The clinically studied dose is 1–2g/day iXOS® for prebiotic bifidogenic effects (much lower than other prebiotics at 5–15g/day); effective at just 1g/day in clinical studies Always follow the product label and check with a healthcare provider for personal advice.

Is iXOS safe, and does it have side effects?

For most healthy adults, iXOS is well tolerated at studied doses. Reported effects can include: Excellent GI tolerance at 1–2g/day — significantly better than FOS or inulin Mild bloating at higher doses (>5g/day) It may also interact with some medications. iXOS is not right for everyone, so check with a healthcare provider first if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, have a medical condition, or take prescription medication.

Does iXOS interact with any medications?

Possible interactions include: No established drug interactions at prebiotic doses Immunosuppressants — microbiome changes could theoretically affect drug metabolism; no clinical concern established If you take prescription medication, check with a pharmacist or doctor before using it.

How strong is the scientific evidence for iXOS?

NutraSmarts rates the evidence for iXOS as Moderate (3 out of 5). It is backed by 1 clinical trial and 3 cited references summarized on this page. A higher rating reflects more, larger, and better-designed human studies.

References(3 citations)

Evidence ratings on NutraSmarts are based on the totality of human clinical research, with emphasis on randomized controlled trials, meta-analyses, and systematic reviews. The references below directly support claims made throughout this page.

  1. Childs CE, Röytiö H, Alhoniemi E, Fekete AA, Forssten SD, Hudjec N, Lim YN, Steger CJ, Yaqoob P, Tuohy KM, Rastall RA, Ouwehand AC, Gibson GR Xylo-oligosaccharides alone or in synbiotic combination with Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis induce bifidogenesis and modulate markers of immune function in healthy adults. Br J Nutr. 2014;111(11):1945-56. doi: 10.1017/S0007114513004261.PubMedUsed to support: Randomized human trial showing XOS (the compound in iXOS®) selectively increases Bifidobacterium populations and modulates immune markers in healthy adults, supporting bifidogenic prebiotic and immune health claims.
  2. Finegold SM, Li Z, Summanen PH, Downes J, Thames G, Corbett K, Dowd S, Krak M, Heber D Xylooligosaccharide increases bifidobacteria but not lactobacilli in human gut microbiota. Food Funct. 2014;5(3):436-45. doi: 10.1039/c3fo60348b.PubMedUsed to support: Human gut microbiota study demonstrating that XOS (the active compound in iXOS®) specifically increases Bifidobacterium species, confirming the highly selective bifidogenic prebiotic activity claimed for iXOS® at low doses.
  3. Yang J, Summanen PH, Henning SM, Hsu M, Lam H, Huang J, Tseng CH, Dowd SE, Finegold SM, Heber D, Li Z Xylooligosaccharide supplementation alters gut bacteria in both healthy and prediabetic adults: a pilot study. Front Physiol. 2015;6:216. doi: 10.3389/fphys.2015.00216.PubMedUsed to support: Pilot clinical study in healthy and prediabetic adults showing XOS supplementation significantly alters gut microbiota composition, supporting the gut microbiome diversity and metabolic health benefits claimed for iXOS®.