(P03-014-24) Assessment of the Efficacy of a Novel Oral Supplement on Symptoms of Bloating Among Healthy Pre-Menopausal Women

Objectives: Bloating is a common complaint among the non-diseased public, with the prevalence in women being twice as high than men. This can affect daily life, social interactions, and can be triggered by dietary habits. Plant-derived natural solutions to manage bloating have accordingly been increasing in demand. The primary objective of this study is to demonstrate the efficacy of a novel plant enriched multi-enzyme supplement on bloating symptoms in healthy pre-menopausal women.

Methods: Twenty-four healthy pre-menopausal women with self-reported symptoms of mild bloating (≥ 4 Au) according to the Glasgow Dyspepsia Severity Score were recruited for an open label pre-post experimental design. Three clinically validated psychometric questionnaires were employed to assess subjective bloating symptoms and related gastrointestinal symptoms: Glasgow Dyspepsia Severity Score (GDSS), Short Form Nepean Dyspepsia Index (NDI), and Short-Form Leeds Dyspepsia Questionnaire (SF-LDQ). Before initiating consumption of the experimental product, subjects performed all psychometric questionnaires three times on separate occasions (within a period of up to two weeks) to establish a within-subject mean and variance baseline for each questionnaire. Upon completion of the two-week baseline period (Pre), subjects then consumed the experimental product (150 mg of a digestive enzyme blend (α-amylase, protease, lactase, cellulase, lipase), 100 mg carraway oil, 50 mg of fennel seed extract and 50 mg of ginger root extract), daily for 60-days in the form of a capsule. The psychometric questionnaires were repeated at 30-days (Mid) and 60-days (Post) of supplement consumption.

Results: Significant differences (p < 0.001) were seen on the GDSS between Pre and Mid, and Pre and Post. For the NDI, significant differences (p < 0.001) were seen between Pre and Mid, and Pre and Post. Finally, for the SF-LDQ, significant differences (p < 0.001) were found between Pre and Mid and Pre and Post. No differences were seen between Mid and Post.

Conclusions: From these data, it is evident that this novel plant enriched multi-enzyme supplement can significantly improve symptoms of mild to moderate bloating within 30 days and be maintained for up to at least 60 days of supplementation.

Funding Sources: MegaFood