Prebiotic Galacto-Oligosaccharides Impact Stool Frequency and Fecal Microbiota in Self-Reported Constipated Adults: A Randomized Clinical Trial

• Published in: Nutrients 2022-01, Vol.14 (2), p.309
• Main Authors: Schoemaker, Marieke H, Hageman, Jeske H J, Ten Haaf, Dominique, Hartog, Anita, Scholtens, Petra A M J, Boekhorst, Jos, Nauta, Arjen, Bos, Rolf
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Adults; Alcoholic beverages; Bifidobacterium - drug effects; Clinical trials; Constipation; Constipation - microbiology; Constipation - therapy; Defecation; Defecation - drug effects; Double-Blind Method; Fecal microflora; Feces; Feces - microbiology; Female; Galactooligosaccharides; Galactose - pharmacology; Gastrointestinal Microbiome - drug effects; Humans; Intervention; Intestine; Irritable bowel syndrome; Laxatives; Lifestyles; Male; Microbiota; Middle Aged; Older people; Oligosaccharides; Oligosaccharides - pharmacology; Prebiotics; Prebiotics - administration & dosage; Questionnaires; Self Report; Social networks; Young Adult
• ISSN: 2072-6643; 2072-6643
• DOI: 10.3390/nu14020309

Constipation is a major issue for 10-20% of the global population. In a double-blind randomized placebo-controlled clinical trial, we aimed to determine a dose-response effect of galacto-oligosaccharides (GOS) on stool characteristics and fecal microbiota in 132 adults with self-reported constipation according to Rome IV criteria (including less than three bowel movements per week). Subjects (94% females, aged: 18-59 years) received either 11 g or 5.5 g of Biotis GOS, or a control product, once daily for three weeks. Validated questionnaires were conducted weekly to study primarily stool frequency and secondary stool consistency. At base- and endline, stool samples were taken to study fecal microbiota. A trend towards an increased stool frequency was observed after the intervention with 11 g of GOS compared to control. While during screening everybody was considered constipated, not all subjects ( = 78) had less than three bowel movements per week at baseline. In total, 11 g of GOS increased stool frequency compared to control in subjects with a low stool frequency at baseline (≤3 bowel movements per week) and in self-reported constipated adults 35 years of age or older. A clear dose-response of GOS was seen on fecal , and 11 g of GOS significantly increased . In conclusion, GOS seems to be a solution to benefit adults with a low stool frequency and middle-aged adults with self-reported constipation.