Clinical Trial: A Multistrain Probiotic Preparation Significantly Reduces Symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome in a Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Study

(Williams et al. 2008)

The probiotic formula that is used in GENESTRA BRANDS HMF IBS Relief was found to decrease the severity of IBS symptoms and number of days with pain, while improving satisfaction with bowel habits and overall quality of life. This 8-week long, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study was conducted in 52 participants diagnosed with IBS, as defined by the Rome II Criteria. Participants were randomized to either the placebo capsule treatment group or the probiotic capsule group (2.5x1010 CFU from Lactobacillus acidophilus CUL60 and CUL 21, Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis CUL34, and Bifidobacterium bifidum CUL20). Participants scored their IBS symptom severity (including bloating, satisfaction with bowel habits, number of days with pain, quality of life, and abdominal pain) at baseline and every 2 weeks during supplementation. In comparison with the placebo group, a significantly greater improvement in total IBS symptoms was observed in participants in the probiotic treatment group throughout the 8 week supplementation period. In the probiotic group, satisfaction with bowel habits was significantly improved in just 6 weeks, and quality of life scores were improved after 8 weeks of supplementation.

• Significantly improved IBS Symptom Severity Scores
• 22% decrease in days with pain
• 32% improvement in satisfaction with bowel habits