Knowde Enhanced TDS
Identification & Functionality
- Ingredient Name
- Food Ingredients Functions
- Pharma & Nutraceuticals Functions
- Ingredients
- Bifidobacterium Lactis, Bifidobacterium Longums, Lactobacillus Casei, Bifidobacterium Bifidum, Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus, Lactiplantibacillus plantarum
Features & Benefits
- Product Background
Constipation is one of the most common gastrointestinal conditions affecting 12-27% of the general population.1 Constipation can be a temporary or chronic problem. Chronic constipation often starts already during childhood.
Figure 1: Risk factors for constipation.
A widely used diagnostic tool to define chronic constipation are the Rome III criteria. According to these criteria, a patient must have experienced at least 2 of the following symptoms over the preceding 3 months: - less than 3 bowel movements per week - straining - lumpy or hard stools - sensation of anorectal obstruction - sensation of incomplete defecation - manual maneuvering required to defecate. There are many risk factors for constipation and the exact cause is often unknown (see figure 1). Mechanisms thought to play a role are a reduced peristalsis and a shift in the intestinal microbiota.2 It is suggested that the intestinal microbiota of constipated persons is in dysbiosis. It, for example, contains higher concentrations of Clostridia and Staphylococci compared to the intestinal microbiota of non-constipated persons3 . Currently, (childhood) constipation is often treated with laxatives. Unfortunately, 40% of these children do not react well to this treatment.4 Research has shown that probiotics improve whole gut transit time, stool frequency and stool consistency, and can soften stools by stimulating water- and electrolyte secretion.2,5 Therefore, administration of probiotics are a promising and effective therapy for constipation.
- Strain Selection
Ecologic® RELIEF is a multispecies probiotic formulation consisting of 7 specially selected probiotic strains. Probiotic strains can exert health effects at different levels in the gut (see figure 2). The probiotic strains of Ecologic® RELIEF have been selected for their capacity to inhibit pathogen growth and improve motility and peristalsis of the intestine (level 1).
The strains have been screened for their capacity to:
- inhibit Clostridium difficile and Staphylococcus aureus
- produce lactic acid.
Applications & Uses
- Markets
- Food & Nutrition Applications
Properties
Regulatory & Compliance
- Certifications & Compliance
Technical Details & Test Data
- Clinical Evidence
Ecologic® RELIEF has been tested in a clinical study, in collaboration with the Children’s Hospital of the Academic Medical Center (AMC) of the University of Amsterdam. Twenty children suffering from constipation used Ecologic® RELIEF for four weeks (once daily). Results showed that Ecologic® RELIEF significantly increased amount of bowel movements per week, and decreased amount of abdominal pain and fecal incontinence (dirty underwear). No side effects were reported6 (see figure 3). In addition, Ecologic® RELIEF has been tested in an open-label study again in collaboration with the AMC. During this study, 20 pregnant women suffering from constipation as defined by the Rome III criteria consumed 4 grams (1x109 CFU/gram) Ecologic® RELIEF daily. Participants recorded daily amongst others, stool frequency and consistency, straining, sensation of incomplete defecation, abdominal pain and adverse events in a standardized bowel diary. Intake of Ecologic® RELIEF resulted in a significant increase in stool frequency; from 3.1 at baseline to 6.7 in week four (p<0.01). In addition, compared to baseline, a significant decrease was found in straining (35%), sensation of incomplete evacuation (50%), sensation of anorectal obstruction (50%) and abdominal pain. No adverse effects were reported.7
