The gastrointestinal status of healthy adults: a post hoc assessment of the impact of three distinct probiotics
File(s)
Published version
Author(s)
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
There is a growing awareness that supplementation with probiotic bacteria can impart beneficial effects during gastrointestinal disease, but less is known about the impact of probiotics on healthy subjects. Here, we report the outcomes of a post hoc analysis of recorded daily gastrointestinal events and bowel habits completed by healthy adults participating in a placebo-controlled, single-centre, randomised, double-blind, quadruple-arm probiotic tolerability study. Extensive screening ensured the healthy status of subjects entering the study and during a 2-week pre-intervention run-in period, a burden of gastrointestinal events (stomach pains, indigestion, acid reflux, stomach tightening, nausea and vomiting, stomach rumbling, bloating, belching and flatulence) was identified suggesting GI discomfort within the population. In the subsequent 12-week intervention period with 3 distinct probiotic formulations and a matched-placebo, reductions in the incidence rates of bloating, borborygmus, stomach pains, slow faecal transit and incomplete defecations were observed in the probiotic groups compared to the placebo. These results highlighted differing responses among the probiotic formulations tested and indicated potential anti-constipation effects. Product specific modulations in circulating interleukin-6 levels and in the composition of the gut microbiota were also detected. Together, these data suggest a role for probiotic supplementation to exert beneficial effects on the gastrointestinal functioning of healthy subjects and highlight the need for further longer-term studies in healthy populations to gain a greater understanding of the impact of probiotics.
Date Issued
2023-01-01
Date Acceptance
2023-01-17
Citation
Beneficial Microbes, 2023, 14 (3), pp.183-195
ISSN
1876-2883
Publisher
Wageningen Academic Publishers
Start Page
183
End Page
195
Journal / Book Title
Beneficial Microbes
Volume
14
Issue
3
Copyright Statement
© 2023 B.H. Mullish et al.
License URL
Identifier
https://www.wageningenacademic.com/doi/10.3920/BM2022.0092
Publication Status
Published
Date Publish Online
2023-01-01