Study: Two Danisco Probiotic Strains Reduce Abdominal Bloating

A combination of two Danisco (Copenhagen) probiotic strains, L. acidophilus NCFM and B. lactis Bi-07, significantly reduced abdominal bloating in patients with functional bowel disorders (FBD), according to a study published online recently in the Journal of Clinical Gastroenterology.

The double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial enrolled 60 patients with non-constipation FBD. The treatment group received the probiotic combination twice daily. Both the treatment and placebo groups were evaluated four times at a clinic and then four weeks later after the treatment period was over.

The endpoints were subjective. The primary endpoints were global relief of gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms, assessed by a score on a 7-point scale, from “substantially worse” to “substantially improved,” and satisfaction with treatment, evaluated via survey. Secondary endpoints included change in severity of functional GI symptoms, including abdominal bloating, well being, and quality of life.

At evaluation at four and eight weeks, the probiotic group showed less-severe bloating symptoms compared to the placebo group-up to a 15% reduction in bloating, the researchers said.

“L-NCFM and B-LBi07 twice a day improve symptoms of bloating in patients with FBDs. These data supports the role of intestinal bacteria in the pathophysiology of FBD and the role for probiotic bacteria in the management of these disorders,” the researchers stated.