Trial Provides New Hope For Those Living With Irritable Bowel Syndrome (Medical News Today - 4/6/09)

A unique health supplement could give fresh hope to those living with Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) as trials reveal it can reduce symptoms of the chronic condition, affecting up to one in five of the UK population1.

"Second generation" galactooligosaccharide Bimuno® was found to reduce abdominal pain and bloating, ease bowel movements and improve stool consistency in those diagnosed with IBS.

The clinical study, published in the Alimentary Pharmacology & Therapeutics, is the result of a joint study from the Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, Central Middlesex Hospital and the University of Reading.

Results of the study showed a reduction in symptoms of IBS for those patients taking Bimuno, including bloating and abdominal pain, with some also reporting reduced anxiety scores and better quality of life.

Professor David Silk, Consultant Gastroenterologist and principle investigator of the study said: "This is a very exciting study as it shows that Bimuno offers IBS sufferers a non medicinal and nutritional option in the management of this very common and often chronic condition".

Bimuno has "prebiotic" properties, which mean it is not destroyed, digested or absorbed in the stomach or small intestine. It therefore reaches the colon intact to selectively target and feed the body's immunity boosting bifidobacteria while reducing harmful bacteria.

The research also examined Bimuno's effect on the gut flora of IBS patients aged between 18 and 80, and in particular, its ability to stimulate bifidobacteria - natural "good" bacteria - within their gut flora. Treatment with Bimuno resulted in significantly higher levels of bifidobacteria and also reduced the level of some harmful bacteria, including strains of Clostridium and Bacteroides.

Professor Nick Read, Medical Director of the Gut Trust commented: 'We are very encouraged to see the positive results of this trial, and welcome any new scientifically proven methods for treating IBS'.

The 12-week trial involved 44 patients who met the Rome II criteria for the diagnosis of IBS

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common gut disorder. The cause is not known. Symptoms can be quite variable and include abdominal pain, bloating, and sometimes bouts of diarrhoea and/or constipation. Symptoms tend to 'come and go'. There is no cure for IBS, but symptoms can often be eased with treatment.

For further information, visit http://www.bimuno.com.