Effects of a kefir supplement on symptoms, colonic transit, and bowel satisfaction score in patients with chronic constipation: A pilot study

Abstract

Background/Aims: Although probiotics have been extensively studied in irritable bowel syndrome, data on the impact of probiotics on chronic constipation are scarce. We aimed to evaluate the effects of kefir, which is a probiotic fermented milk product, on the symptoms, colonic transit, and bowel satisfaction scores of patients with chronic constipation. Materials and Methods: Twenty consecutive patients with functional constipation according to the Rome II criteria were divided into two groups based on their colon transit studies: 1. The normal transit (NT) group (n=10); and 2. The slow transit (ST) group (n=10). After a baseline period, 500 mL/day of a probiotic kefir beverage was administered to all patients for 4 weeks. Defecation parameters (stool frequency, stool consistency, degree of straining, laxative consumption) were recorded in diaries daily by the patients. Bowel satisfaction scores were assessed using a visual analog scale. The colon transit study was repeated in the ST group at the end of the study. Results: At the end of the study, the patients showed an increased stool frequency (p<0.001), improved stool consistency (p=0.014), and decreased laxative consumption (p=0.031). The degree of straining during evacuation showed a tendency to improve after kefir administration; however, this was not statistically significant (p=0.18). A repeat transit study showed an acceleration of colonic transit in the ST group (p=0.013). Bowel satisfaction scores also improved (p<0.001).Conclusion: This pilot study shows that kefir has positive effects on the symptoms of constipation. Our results also suggest that kefir improves bowel satisfaction scores and accelerates colonic transit. Controlled trials are warranted to confirm these findings.

Therapeutic effect of lyophilized, Kefir‐fermented milk on constipation among persons with mental and physical disabilities

“…It was found that GE administration could be reduced in three participants owing to kefir’s probiotic effect (Ino et al ). Similar findings also were observed among patients in Turkey (Turan, Dedeli, Bor, & Ilter, ). The current study investigated the effects of kefir on constipation among all the individuals who were hospitalized in Beppu Developmental Medical Center in order to determine whether including kefir in dietary regimens could reduce the administration of aperients to some individuals with constipation.…”

Gut Microbiota Alterations from Three-Strain Yogurt Formulation Treatments in Slow-Transit Constipation

“…ere has been growing evidence suggesting that probiotics, or at least specific probiotic strains, may have a beneficial role in alleviating constipation symptoms [9,10]. Interestingly, functional foods, such as probiotic-containing dairy products, have been introduced as treatment options for constipation and showed favorable effects [11][12][13][14][15].…”

Forkhead Box Protein O1 is Linked to Anti-Inflammatory Probiotic Bacteria Acting through Nuclear Factor-κB Pathway

“…HT-29-NF-κB-hrGFP clon E5 cells were cultured in RPMI1640 medium and supplemented with 10% (v/v) FBS. Cells were routinely propagated in 25 or 75 cm 2 tissue culture flasks at 37ºC, 5% CO 2 in a humidified incubator until reaching approximately 70% confluence [24]. Subsequently, cells were trypsinized and concentration was adjusted for different experimental settings.…”

“…Among bacteria, Lactobacilli and Bifidobacteria are the main genera of probiotics which have been implicated in beneficial outcomes. Probiotics can exert health benefits for treatment and prevention of gastrointestinal disorders, such as impairment of colonic transit, enteric infections and post-antibiotic syndrome, reduction of recurrence of Clostridium difficile associated diarrhea, prevention of necrotizing enterocolitis and colorectal cancer, and prevention and treatment of inflammatory bowel diseases [2][3][4][5][6][7].…”