Prospective, Interventional, Comparative, Single Center, Cross-Over Study for Evaluation of Efficacy of Kiwibiotic Vs Psyllium Husk for Functional Constipation, Abdominal Pain and Bloating.

Functional constipation (FC) is a clinically common functionalgastrointestinal disorder that affects both children and adults all over theworld. FC, also known as chronic idiopathic constipation, is a type ofchronic constipation caused by dysfunction or disturbance in the physiologicalfunctions of defecation for a variety of reasons other than irritable bowelsyndrome (IBS), and without organic lesions or structural abnormalities thatcause defecation difficulty.Existing research has shown that sedentarylifestyles, dietary habits and types such as low vegetable and fruit intake(low dietary fibre), insufficient water intake, and low levels of education allcontribute to an increased prevalence of FC.  Laxatives are commonly usedas first-line pharmacological therapy as they are cheap and readily availableover the counter.

Kiwifruit has varioususes in Gastrointestinal disorders. The components found in kiwifruit have beenshown to increase fecal bulking and softness and enable better lubrication,assisting the propulsion of content along the colon. It is thought that theunique combination of soluble and insoluble fibres, polyphenols and actinidin,present in kiwifruit, confers gastrointestinal benefits, improvements inlaxation and reduction of abdominal discomfort, both in individuals with eitherconstipation-predominant irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-C) and in normal healthypeople suffering from constipation without reported side effects. The putativemechanism of kiwifruit on the maintenance of normal GI function has recentlybeen reviewed.