Methods and compositions to modulate the gut microbiota and to manage weight

A method of weight management for a human subject in need thereof, the method comprising:

• orally administering to a subject who is overweight or obese an oxygen-releasing composition formulated for enteric delivery of its active to the small intestine and/or large intestine of the subject, wherein the active is or comprises sodium percarbonate.

In a method of managing weight by inducing weight loss in an overweight or obese subject who is a candidate for bariatric surgery, the improvement that comprises:

• instead of performing bariatric surgery on the subject, orally administering to the subject an oxygen-releasing composition formulated for enteric delivery of its active in the small and/or large intestine, wherein the active is or comprises sodium percarbonate.

In a method of managing weight by inducing weight loss in an overweight or obese subject who is a candidate for bariatric surgery, the improvement that comprises:

• instead of performing bariatric surgery on the subject, orally administering to the subject a composition that is an enteric oxygen delivery composition comprising sodium percarbonate and characterized in that it releases oxygen when assayed in PBS buffer at pH 7.4 after immersion at pH 1.2 for 2 hours.

In a method of managing weight by inducing weight loss in an overweight or obese subject who is a candidate for bariatric surgery, the improvement that comprises:

• instead of performing bariatric surgery on the subject, orally administering an enterically coated oral dosage form of an oxygen-releasing composition comprising sodium percarbonate.

A method comprising a step of:

• orally administering to a subject who is overweight or obese an enterically coated oxygen-releasing composition comprising sodium percarbonate.

A method comprising a step of:

• administering to an overweight or obese subject a composition comprising sodium percarbonate that is an enteric oxygen delivery composition in that it achieves delivery preferentially to the small and/or large intestine.