The primary objective of the present postdoctoral research is to evaluate the acceptability and adherence of two dietary supplements containing microbial phytase, Goodphyte IB Defense and Goodphyte Immunity, in adult individuals with chronic diseases, namely Idiopathic Inflammatory Bowel Diseases (IIBD)-that is, Crohn's disease (CD) or Ulcerative Colitis (UC)-Arterial Hypertension (AH), Anemia (AN), or Multiple Sclerosis (MS). Secondarily, this study will investigate potential changes in iron and zinc absorption following phytase supplementation in these individuals and, consequently, possible changes in their quality of life.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
OTHER
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
100
Participants will receive orally Goodphyte IB Defense at a dose of four capsules per day for a duration of two weeks.
Participants will receive orally Goodphyte IB Immunity at a dose of four capsules per day for a duration of two weeks.
School of Physical Education, Sport Science and Dietetics
Trikala, Thessaly, Greece
Acceptability of two dietary supplements containing microbial phytase, Goodphyte IB Defense and Goodphyte Immunity using an acceptability questionnaire
Acceptability will be measured using an acceptability questionnaire completed at the end of the intervention. The questionnaire will include items assessing ease of intake, difficulties in integrating the supplement into daily routines, perceived safety, overall study experience, and intention to continue product use. Responses will be recorded using a 5-point Likert scale (1 = strongly disagree to 5 = strongly agree), allowing quantitative analysis.
Time frame: 2 weeks (immediately after completion of the 2-week intervention)
Adherence to the Intervention
Adherence will be assessed by recording the number of days participants consumed the supplement and the quantity consumed during the intervention period. Daily adherence will be documented using a self-reported compliance form. Participant completion and withdrawal rates will be recorded, and reasons for withdrawal will be analyzed when available.
Time frame: From enrollment to the end of treatment at 2 weeks
Changes in serum iron levels (μg/dL)
The effect of supplementation with Goodphyte IB Defense and Goodphyte Immunity on iron status will be evaluated. Blood samples will be collected before and after the intervention to measure serum iron. All laboratory analyses will be performed using standardized and validated methods.
Time frame: Baseline (Day 0) and 2 weeks (immediately after completion of the 2-week intervention)
Changes in serum zinc levels (μg/dL)
The effect of supplementation with Goodphyte IB Defense and Goodphyte Immunity on zinc status will be evaluated. Blood samples will be collected before and after the intervention to measure serum zinc. All laboratory analyses will be performed using standardized and validated methods.
Time frame: Baseline (Day 0) and 2 weeks (immediately after completion of the 2-week intervention)
Changes in ferritin (ng/mL)
The effect of supplementation with Goodphyte IB Defense and Goodphyte Immunity on inflammatory markers will be evaluated. Blood samples will be collected before and after the intervention to measure ferritin. All laboratory analyses will be performed using standardized and validated methods.
Time frame: Baseline (Day 0) and 2 weeks (immediately after completion of the 2-week intervention)
Changes in C-reactive protein (CRP) (mg/L)
The effect of supplementation with Goodphyte IB Defense and Goodphyte Immunity on inflammatory markers will be evaluated. Blood samples will be collected before and after the intervention to measure C-reactive protein (CRP). All laboratory analyses will be performed using standardized and validated methods.
Time frame: Baseline (Day 0) and 2 weeks (immediately after completion of the 2-week intervention)
Changes in fecal calprotectin (µg/g)
In participants with Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), fecal calprotectin will be measured as a non-invasive marker of intestinal inflammation. Stool samples will be collected before and after the intervention. All laboratory analyses will be performed using standardized and validated methods.
Time frame: Baseline (Day 0) and 2 weeks (immediately after completion of the 2-week intervention)
Changes in Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR) (mm)
The effect of supplementation with Goodphyte IB Defense and Goodphyte Immunity on inflammatory markers will be evaluated. Blood samples will be collected before and after the intervention to measure Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR). All laboratory analyses will be performed using standardized and validated methods.
Time frame: Baseline (Day 0) and 2 weeks (immediately after completion of the 2-week intervention)
Changes in Quality of Life (QoL) using WHOQOL-BREF questionnaire
Quality of Life (QoL) will be assessed using internationally recognized questionnaire for the evaluation of participants' subjective well-being, such as WHOQOL-BREF: The World Health Organization Quality of Life-Abbreviated version. Domain scores will be calculated and transformed to a 0-100 scale according to World Health Organization guidelines, with higher scores indicating better quality of life.
Time frame: Day 0 (baseline), Day 7 (mid-intervention) and Day 14 (immediately after completion of the 2-week intervention)
Changes in Quality of Life (QoL) using EQ-5D-5L questionnaire
Quality of Life (QoL) will be assessed using internationally recognized questionnaire for the evaluation of participants' subjective well-being, such as EuroQol 5-Dimension 5-Level questionnaire (EQ-5D-5L). The EQ-5D-5L index score will be calculated using the validated country-specific value set, converting health states into a single index value ranging from 0 to 1, where higher values indicate better health-related quality of life.
Time frame: Day 0 (baseline), Day 7 (mid-intervention) and Day 14 (immediately after completion of the 2-week intervention)
Changes in fatigue levels using the Chalder Fatigue Scale (CFQ) questionnaire
Participants will complete the Chalder Fatigue Scale (CFQ) questionnaire, which consists of 11 Likert-scale questions designed to distinguish between physical and mental fatigue. Responses will be scored using the Likert method (0-3), yielding a total fatigue score ranging from 0 to 33, with higher scores indicating greater fatigue severity.
Time frame: Day 0 (baseline), Day 7 (mid-intervention) and Day 14 (immediately after completion of the 2-week intervention)
Body Mass Index (BMI) using measured body weight and height (kg/m²)
Body Mass Index (BMI) will be assessed as a measure of body composition. BMI will be calculated using measured body weight and height (kg/m²) at baseline, during the intervention, and at the end of the intervention to evaluate changes over time.
Time frame: Baseline (Day 0) and 2 weeks (immediately after completion of the 2-week intervention)
Harvey-Bradshaw Index (HBI) Score
Self-reported disease activity in patients with Crohn's disease will be assessed using the Harvey-Bradshaw Index (HBI), summing points from general well-being, abdominal pain, liquid stools, abdominal mass, and complications. Scores typically indicate: \<5 (remission), 5-7 (mild), 8-16 (moderate), and \>16 (severe) activity.
Time frame: Day 0 (baseline), Day 7 (mid-intervention) and Day 14 (immediately after completion of the 2-week intervention)
Mayo Score for Ulcerative Colitis
Self-reported disease activity in patients with ulcerative colitis will be assessed using the Mayo Score, a 0-12 point system assessing disease severity by combining patient symptoms (stool frequency, rectal bleeding) with endoscopic findings (mucosal appearance) and a physician's global assessment, with higher scores indicating more severe inflammation.
Time frame: Day 0 (baseline), Day 7 (mid-intervention) and Day 14 (immediately after completion of the 2-week intervention)
Inflammatory Bowel Disease Disk (IBD-Disk) Score
Patient-reported symptom severity and disease-related burden in ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease will be assessed using the Inflammatory Bowel Disease Disk (IBD-Disk) tool. It is a 10-item, visual, self-administered tool. Patients rate 10 key areas (like abdominal pain, energy, sleep, emotions) on a 0-10 scale, resulting in a total score from 0 to 100, where higher scores indicate greater disability.
Time frame: Day 0 (baseline), Day 7 (mid-intervention) and Day 14 (immediately after completion of the 2-week intervention)
Multiple Sclerosis Impact Scale (MSIS-29) Score
Self-reported physical and psychological impact of multiple sclerosis will be assessed using the Multiple Sclerosis Impact Scale (MSIS-29). The scores will be summed and converted to a 0-100 scale for each domain, with 100 being the worst.
Time frame: Day 0 (baseline), Day 7 (mid-intervention) and Day 14 (immediately after completion of the 2-week intervention)
Modified Fatigue Impact Scale (MFIS) Score
Fatigue severity and its impact on daily functioning in patients with multiple sclerosis will be assessed using the Modified Fatigue Impact Scale (MFIS). It reflects how fatigue affects daily life, with a total range of 0-84, where higher scores mean greater impact, broken into physical (0-36), cognitive (0-40), and psychosocial (0-8) subscales.
Time frame: Day 0 (baseline), Day 7 (mid-intervention) and Day 14 (immediately after completion of the 2-week intervention)
Hypertension-Related Symptom Score
Self-reported hypertension-related symptoms, including dizziness and headache, assessed using a weekly symptom questionnaire. Symptom severity will be evaluated at baseline, during the intervention, and at the end of the intervention.
Time frame: Day 0 (baseline), Day 7 (mid-intervention) and Day 14 (immediately after completion of the 2-week intervention)
Anemia-Related Symptom Score
Self-reported anemia-related symptoms, including fatigue, shortness of breath, and weakness, assessed using a weekly symptom questionnaire. Assessments will be conducted at baseline, during the intervention, and at the end of the intervention.
Time frame: Day 0 (baseline), Day 7 (mid-intervention) and Day 14 (immediately after completion of the 2-week intervention)
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