MedPath

Fermented Soy and Heartburn Symptom Relief

Not Applicable
Completed
Conditions
Heartburn
Acid Regurgitation
Interventions
Other: Gastro-AD®
Other: Placebo
Registration Number
NCT03867591
Lead Sponsor
University of Florida
Brief Summary

Heartburn is as common gastrointestinal symptom experienced by otherwise healthy adults and typically manifests as a painful burning sensation in the upper abdomen or in the chest. Typically, heartburn symptoms are treated with over-the-counter (OTC) medications which may come with side effects.

There is suggestive evidence of the efficacy of fermented soy (Gastro-AD®) for the heartburn symptom relief. The aim of the study is to evaluate the effect of a fermented soy on heartburn symptom relief and time to onset.

Detailed Description

Heartburn is as common gastrointestinal symptom experienced by otherwise healthy adults and typically manifests as a painful burning sensation in the upper abdomen or in the chest. Usually it is caused by the regurgitation of gastric acid into the esophagus. The prevalence of heartburn is 10-20% worldwide and is increasing. Typically, heartburn symptoms are treated with over-the-counter (OTC) medications which may come with side effects.

Gastro-AD® is a commercially available food supplement produced by fermentation of soy by a specific strain of Lactobacillus. There is suggestive evidence, in vivo as well as in vitro studies, of the efficacy of fermented soy (Gastro-AD®) for the heartburn symptom relief. The aim of the study is to evaluate the effect of a fermented soy on heartburn symptom relief and time to onset. It is hypothesized that the consumption of 1-3 g of fermented soy will relieve the heartburn symptom severity.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
COMPLETED
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
51
Inclusion Criteria
  • Able to provide written informed consent in English.
  • Willing to have height and weight measured and provide demographic information (e.g. age, race, sex)
  • Experience heartburn symptoms at least 2 days a week during the past 3 months.
  • Use OTC product(s), supplements, or dietary manipulation to relieve heartburn symptoms in the last 3 months.
  • Willing to take the study soy supplement before resorting to OTC product(s) to control heartburn symptoms.
  • Willing to complete questionnaires, records, and diaries associated with the study and to complete all clinical visits.
  • Willing to provide information about dietary intake; 3-day online 24-hr recalls during baseline, intervention, and washout.
  • Willing and able to provide a valid social security for study payment purposes.
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Exclusion Criteria
  • Do not meet the above criteria.
  • Soy allergy
  • Severe heartburn problem (cannot be ignored and often limits your concentration on daily activities) during the last week
  • Diagnosed or currently being treated for any gastrointestinal diseases including GERD, gastric ulcers, Crohn's, celiac, ulcerative colitis, etc.
  • Self-disclosed as pregnant or breast-feeding or planning on becoming pregnant during the study duration.
  • Currently participating in another clinical study.
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Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
Gastro-AD® GroupGastro-AD®The participants randomized to this group 1 g of Gastro-AD® powder per sachet + flavoring agents.
Placebo GroupPlaceboParticipants in this arm will take a sachet containing maltodextrin (1 g) and exactly the same flavoring and coloring agents as Gastro-AD® powder flavored sachets.
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Change in severity of heartburn symptoms5 minutes, 15 minutes, 30 minutes

Severity on a 5-point Likert scale ranging from 1 = no symptoms to 5 = severe discomfort

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Change in Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Scale (GSRS)Baseline; Week 4; Week 5

The GSRS is a disease-specific instrument of 15 items combined into five symptom clusters depicting Reflux, Abdominal pain, Indigestion, Diarrhoea and Constipation. The GSRS has a seven-point graded Likert-type scale where 1 represents absence of troublesome symptoms and 7 represents very troublesome symptoms.

Heartburn event frequencyBaseline; Week 4; Week 5

Heartburn events per period

Change in Quality of Life (GERD-QOL)Baseline; Week 4; Week 5

The GERD-QOL is disease-specific instrument of 16 items combined into domains.

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Food Science and Human Nutrition Department

🇺🇸

Gainesville, Florida, United States

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