A Randomized, Double-blind, Placebo-controlled, Crossover Study to Assess the Efficacy of a Patented Whole Cell Algae Fermentate on Gut Health in Healthy Adults With Mild Gastrointestinal Issues
Overview
- Phase
- Not Applicable
- Intervention
- Not specified
- Conditions
- Healthy
- Sponsor
- Kemin Foods LC
- Enrollment
- 70
- Locations
- 1
- Primary Endpoint
- Gastrointestinal ease and consistency
- Status
- Completed
- Last Updated
- 5 years ago
Overview
Brief Summary
The objective of the current study is to evaluate the effect of whole cell fermentate on gut health, including GI system function, such as supporting consistency and regularity of bowel habits, as well as changes in microbiota. The role of the GI system can also be extended to immune regulation because approximately 70% of the entire immune system in the body is located around the gut. Thus, the health and wellbeing of the gut can have a great impact on whole-body health. Therefore, this study will assess the effect on overall immune function.
Detailed Description
This study is a randomized, placebo-controlled, crossover trial with a screening visit and two test periods separated by a three-week washout period. At Visit 1, after subjects have provided informed consent, medical history will be reviewed and clinic visit procedures will be performed, including assessments of prior/current medication/supplement use, and evaluations of inclusion/exclusion criteria.Subjects will be dispensed a diet record, gastrointestinal questionnaire, bowel habits diary, upper respiratory symptom questionnaire, and a stool collection kit to complete prior to Visit 2 (week 0). At Visit 2 (week 0), eligible subjects will return to the clinic. The stool samples will be collected, and the diet record, gastrointestinal questionnaire, and bowel habits diary will be collected. Subjects will also be administered a stress questionnaire and quality of life questionnaire. Eligible subjects will then be randomized to one of two test groups (placebo or active). Subjects will track study product intake using a daily study product log and track daily cold symptoms. Subjects will also be given a gastrointestinal questionnaire, bowel habits diary, upper respiratory symptom questionnaire, and a stool collection kit to complete prior to Visit 3 (week 4). At Visit 3 (week 4), the stool samples will be collected, and the diet record, gastrointestinal questionnaire, and bowel habits diary will be collected. Subjects will also be administered a stress and quality of life questionnaire. Unused study product will be collected and compliance assessed via unused study product.Subjects will also be given a gastrointestinal questionnaire, bowel habits diary, and a stool collection kit to complete prior to Visit 4 (week 7) Subjects will then enter the 3-week washout period, during which time no surveys/questionnaires will be kept and will then crossover to the other study product in their test sequence and repeat the Test Period I procedures (at Visit 2 and 3) during Test Period II (Visits 4 \[week 7\] and 5 \[week 11\]).
Investigators
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria
- •Subject is a male or female, 21-60 years of age
- •Subject has a BMI of 18.5-34.9 kg/m2
- •Subject reports having mild GI issues
- •Subject is willing and able to comply with the collection and storage requirements of the stool samples
- •Subject has internet access via computer, phone or other device and is able to maintain internet access throughout the trial in order to complete online daily questionnaires
- •Subject is a non-user of all tobacco, smoking products and nicotine products
- •Subject is willing to maintain physical activity patterns, body weight, supplements/medications, sleep patterns, and habitual diet throughout the trial.
- •Subject has no health conditions that would prevent him from fulfilling the study requirements 9 Subject understands the study procedures and signs forms providing informed consent to participate in the study
Exclusion Criteria
- •Subject has an abnormal laboratory test result(s) of clinical importance at Visit 1
- •Subject has a clinically important GI condition that would potentially interfere with the evaluation of the study product
- •Subject has a history or presence of uncontrolled and/or clinically important pulmonary (including uncontrolled asthma), cardiac (including, but not limited to, atherosclerotic disease, history of myocardial infarction, peripheral arterial disease, stroke), hepatic, renal, endocrine (including type 1 and type 2 diabetes mellitus), hematologic, immunologic, neurologic (such as Alzheimer's or Parkinson's disease), psychiatric (including unstable depression and/or unstable anxiety disorders) or biliary disorders
- •Subject has a known allergy, intolerance, or sensitivity to any of the ingredients in the study products
- •Subject has extreme dietary habits (e.g., Atkins diet, very high protein, very high fiber)
- •Subject has uncontrolled hypertension
- •Subject has a recent (within 6 weeks of Visit 1) diarrhea (defined as ≥3 loose or liquid stools/d)
- •Subject has participated in colonoscopy or colonoscopy preparation within 3 months prior to Visit 1
- •Subject has a history or presence of cancer in the prior two years, except for non-melanoma skin cancer
- •Subject has a history of bariatric surgery for weight reducing purposes
Outcomes
Primary Outcomes
Gastrointestinal ease and consistency
Time Frame: After 4 weeks of each test period
Bristol Stool Scale
Gastrointestinal symptom
Time Frame: After 4 weeks of each test period
Gastrointestinal Tolerability Questionnaire
Cold/Flu Symptoms
Time Frame: After 4 weeks of each test period
Wisconsin Upper Respiratory Symptom Survey
Secondary Outcomes
- Fecal biomarker 2(After 4 weeks of each test period)
- Stress Questionnaire(After 4 weeks of each test period)
- Fecal Microbiome(After 4 weeks of each test period)
- Fecal biomarker 1(After 4 weeks of each test period)
- Quality of Life Questionnaire(After 4 weeks of each test period)