title: Efficacy of probiotics and nutrients in functional gastrointestinal disorders: a preliminary clinical trial.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of commonly used probiotics and nutrients available for functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGID). Five different combinations of probiotics and nutrients, or placebo, were taken daily over 12 weeks. In this randomized controlled clinical trial, men and women 21 to 72 years of age with FGID symptoms of indigestion, bloating, and abdominal discomfort were assigned to one of six groups, 12 patients per group. Gastrointestinal Quality of Life Index (GIQLI) and visual analogue scale (VAS) for GI symptoms, SF-36, lactulose and mannitol test (LMT), and urine indican levels were evaluated. GIQLI, VAS scores, and LMT did not change significantly (P > 0.05). There were clinically notable improvements in two of the combination formulations. While the nonsignificant improvements in GI symptoms could suggest that combination probiotics and nutrients may be beneficial in conditions such as FGID, no conclusive evidence was found in this pilot trial. Further investigations to explore the findings are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Southwest College Research Institute, Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine & Health Sciences, 2140 East Broadway Road, Tempe, Arizona 85282-1751, USA. l.kim@scnm.edu
authors.forename: Linda
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: S Kim
authors.forename: Lisa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Hilli
authors.forename: Jennifer
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Orlowski
authors.forename: Jami L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Kupperman
authors.forename: Matthew
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Baral
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: F Waters
mesh_terms: D015746:Abdominal Pain / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004415:Dyspepsia / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D005767:Gastrointestinal Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D007200:Indican / Q000652:urine; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010147:Pain Measurement; D010865:Pilot Projects; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000627:therapeutic use; D019936:Probiotics / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011788:Quality of Life
chemical_list: D010936:Plant Extracts; D007200:Indican