The objective of the current study is to evaluate the effect of whole cell fermentate on gut health, including GI system function, such as supporting consistency and regularity of bowel habits, as well as changes in microbiota. The role of the GI system can also be extended to immune regulation because approximately 70% of the entire immune system in the body is located around the gut. Thus, the health and wellbeing of the gut can have a great impact on whole-body health. Therefore, this study will assess the effect on overall immune function.
This study is a randomized, placebo-controlled, crossover trial with a screening visit and two test periods separated by a three-week washout period. At Visit 1, after subjects have provided informed consent, medical history will be reviewed and clinic visit procedures will be performed, including assessments of prior/current medication/supplement use, and evaluations of inclusion/exclusion criteria.Subjects will be dispensed a diet record, gastrointestinal questionnaire, bowel habits diary, upper respiratory symptom questionnaire, and a stool collection kit to complete prior to Visit 2 (week 0). At Visit 2 (week 0), eligible subjects will return to the clinic. The stool samples will be collected, and the diet record, gastrointestinal questionnaire, and bowel habits diary will be collected. Subjects will also be administered a stress questionnaire and quality of life questionnaire. Eligible subjects will then be randomized to one of two test groups (placebo or active). Subjects will track study product intake using a daily study product log and track daily cold symptoms. Subjects will also be given a gastrointestinal questionnaire, bowel habits diary, upper respiratory symptom questionnaire, and a stool collection kit to complete prior to Visit 3 (week 4). At Visit 3 (week 4), the stool samples will be collected, and the diet record, gastrointestinal questionnaire, and bowel habits diary will be collected. Subjects will also be administered a stress and quality of life questionnaire. Unused study product will be collected and compliance assessed via unused study product.Subjects will also be given a gastrointestinal questionnaire, bowel habits diary, and a stool collection kit to complete prior to Visit 4 (week 7) Subjects will then enter the 3-week washout period, during which time no surveys/questionnaires will be kept and will then crossover to the other study product in their test sequence and repeat the Test Period I procedures (at Visit 2 and 3) during Test Period II (Visits 4 \[week 7\] and 5 \[week 11\]).
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
HEALTH_SERVICES_RESEARCH
Masking
QUADRUPLE
Enrollment
70
Contains at minimum 50% Beta Glucan
microcrystalline cellulose
Biofortis Innovation Services
Addison, Illinois, United States
Gastrointestinal symptom
Gastrointestinal Tolerability Questionnaire
Time frame: After 4 weeks of each test period
Gastrointestinal ease and consistency
Bristol Stool Scale
Time frame: After 4 weeks of each test period
Cold/Flu Symptoms
Wisconsin Upper Respiratory Symptom Survey
Time frame: After 4 weeks of each test period
Fecal Microbiome
Omnigene-GUT DNA Genotek
Time frame: After 4 weeks of each test period
Fecal biomarker 1
Short Chain Fatty Acid
Time frame: After 4 weeks of each test period
Fecal biomarker 2
Leaky Gut biomarker
Time frame: After 4 weeks of each test period
Stress Questionnaire
Perceived Stress Questionnaire
Time frame: After 4 weeks of each test period
Quality of Life Questionnaire
World Health Organization-Quality of Life Questionnaire
Time frame: After 4 weeks of each test period
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