The long-term objective of our research program is to show that targeted colonic delivery of natural specific fermentable carbohydrates will maintain and promote gut health by changing the gut microbiota [prebiotic effect], by increasing "protective and growth promoting" factors such as butyrate, and enhancing intestinal barrier function. These health-promoting functions may prevent and treat a wide range of disorders associated with an abnormal microbiota (dysbiosis) and/or disrupted gut barrier function. Examples of disorders associated with dysbiosis and disrupted gut barrier (leaky gut) are allergic disorders, inflammatory bowel disease, diverticular disease, colon polyps and cancer, alcoholic liver disease, non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH- the most common liver disease in the USA), and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS, the most common GI illness in the US with a high loss of productivity and a high rate of utilization of health care resources).