Danisco Probiotics Reduce Bloating

CHAPEL HILL, N.C.Two probiotic strains from Danisco taken twice daily improved symptoms of bloating in patients with functional bowel disorders in a recent study from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (J Clin Gastroenterol. 2011 Mar 22. DOI:10.1097/MCG.0b013e31820ca4d6). Researchers found Lactobacillus acidophilus NCFM (L. acidophilus NCFM®) and Bifidobacterium lactis Bi-07 (B. lactis Bi-07) reduced abdominal bloating after one month in men and women with general bowel disorders and with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

In the double blind, placebo-control clinical trial, the probiotic bacteria L. acidophilus NCFM® and B. lactis Bi-07 (2×10 colony forming units (CFU)/d) were given in capsules twice a day to 31 patients with non-constipation functional bowel disorder (72 percent female, 84 percent white, mean age 37 years) for eight weeks. The placebo group of 29 patients held similar patient characteristics.

Researchers reported abdominal bloating improved in the probiotics compared with the placebo group at four weeks (4.10 vs. 6.17, P=0.009; change in bloating severity P=0.02) and eight weeks (4.26 vs. 5.84, P=0.06; change in bloating severity P<0.01). After eight weeks, bloating symptoms were reduced by 15 percent. Analyses on the IBS subgroup (n=33) showed similar results.

The study intervention of the daily consumption of L. acidophilus NCFM® and B. lactis Bi-07 did not show a significant improvement over the placebo on global relief of gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms and satisfaction with treatment. No significant adverse events were reported in any group.

The primary endpoints evaluated were two subjective tests. The first one, global relief of GI symptoms, was assessed by a score on a 7-point scale from substantially worse" to substantially improved." The second endpoint, satisfaction with treatment, was assessed by a survey. Secondary endpoints included change in the severity of specific functional GI symptoms including abdominal bloating and well-being (both scored on a Likert scale).

According to Danisco, this is the first prospective study using a combination of L. acidophilus NCFM® and B. lactis Bi-07 on abdominal bloating.