 The Bifidobacterium counts of the subjects after high dose XOS intervention was significantly higher from the base line at 4, 8, and 10 weeks. Similarly, the increase of Bifidobacterium counts was significantly higher in the high XOS group at 4 weeks compared to the low XOS group. The low XOS group had significantly higher Bifidobacterium counts compared to the placebo group subjects at 8 and 10 weeks. The total anaerobic flora counts and to some degree the total aerobic flora counts of the subjects after high dose XOS intervention were significantly higher from the base-line at 4 and 8 weeks. The mean changes of total anaerobic flora counts were significantly higher in the high XOS group at 4, 8, and 10 weeks compared to the placebo group. Interestingly, also Bacteroides fragilis group counts of the subjects after high dose XOS intervention were significantly higher from the base line at 4, 8, and 10 weeks and the mean changes were significantly higher in the high XOS group compared to the low and placebo groups. There were no major significant differences in the counts of Lactobacillus sp., Enterobacteriaceae, and clostridia between the three dose groups evaluated 