Study finds GanedenBC30 strain relieves intestinal gas

CLEVELAND A clinical study recently published in BMC Gastroenterology found that an over-the-counter product containing the probiotic strain Ganeden Biotech’s GanedenBC30 was significantly more effective than placebo in providing relief to subjects suffering from intestinal gas, Ganeden announced Tuesday.

Bacillus coagulans already has been shown to be effective in more serious disorders, such as irritable bowel syndrome, but the study is the first to show a gastrointestinal benefit in otherwise healthy adults.

The randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study found that subjects taking Digestive Advantage Gas Defense Formula, an OTC product marketed by Ganeden Biotech that contains the Bacillus coagulans probiotic strain, experienced statistically significant improvement versus placebo in the Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Scale total score over the four weeks of product use.

"Many people may not understand that probiotics are more than something you find just in yogurt," stated Michael Roizen, chief wellness officer at the Cleveland Clinic. "Taking probiotics is a good habit that can really benefit your digestive system, which is intricately connected to your overall health, yet most Americans are still unfamiliar with them and the good they can do."

Intestinal gas results from the fermentation of undigested carbohydrates in the lower bowel. The lack of appropriate enzymes to break down these carbohydrates before they reach the lower bowel is a major factor, as is the case with people who are lactose intolerant. Bacillus coagulans has been shown in an in vitro model of the human digestive tract to aid in the digestion of carbohydrates, including lactose and fructose.