Efficacy and safety of galacto-oligosaccharide in the treatment of functional constipation: randomized clinical trial

Abstract

The efficacy and safety of galacto-oligosaccharides (GOS) in treating functional constipation were evaluated in a four-week randomized, double-blind clinical trial on 63 patients who met Rome IV criteria (34 GOS, 29 placebo group). The number of bowel movements per day and changes in the shape of bowel movements in the treatment group significantly improved compared to those in the control group after four weeks. The Patient Assessment Constipation Quality of Life questionnaire showed that satisfaction with constipation significantly increased in the treatment group. The levels of Bifidobacterium sp. and Lactobacillus sp. significantly increased after four weeks of GOS treatment compared to those measured at baseline. No significant adverse drug reactions were identified in any indicator except for pulse rate. Thus, the prebiotic GOS can be safely used in foods and pharmaceuticals to alleviate symptoms of functional constipation by improving the intestinal flora.

Graphical abstract: Efficacy and safety of galacto-oligosaccharide in the treatment of functional constipation: randomized clinical trial

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
01 Mar 2024
Accepted
06 May 2024
First published
24 May 2024
This article is Open Access
Creative Commons BY-NC license

Food Funct., 2024, Advance Article

Efficacy and safety of galacto-oligosaccharide in the treatment of functional constipation: randomized clinical trial

J. Lee, G. Kim, K. Han, E. Jung, H. J. Suh and K. Jo, Food Funct., 2024, Advance Article , DOI: 10.1039/D4FO00999A

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