No full-text available
To read the full-text of this research,
you can request a copy directly from the authors.
Sa2058 Efficacy of Partially Hydrolyzed Guar Gum in Reducing Methane Excretion and Clinical Manifestation of Subjects Suffering From Irritable Bowel Syndrome
... Mean methane excretion seems to be higher in subjects suffering from functional constipation than in those with IBS-C. 45 There is no specific treatment and antibiotics do not have any effect on both reduction of methane amount produced and related symptoms. furnari et al. evaluated the effectiveness of PHGG in reducing methane production in IBS-C: 40 methane producer patients were enrolled and randomized to receive 5 g PHGG daily for 4 weeks or alternatively to have no treatment (controls); 50 g GBT test and Gastrointestinal Symptoms Score (GSS) questionnaire were performed at month 1 and 4. The authors showed that PHGG effectively reduced methane excretion and symptoms in these subjects (P<0.001). ...
Aim:
Functional and metabolic effects of dietary fiber are recognized by the scientific, clinical and nutritional experts. Dietary fiber plays a very significant role in modifying the intestinal microbiota, exerting prebiotic effects such as stimulating the growth and/or function of beneficial intestinal microorganisms. Changes in the gut microbiota composition are classically considered as one of the many factors involved in the pathogenesis of either inflammatory bowel disease or irritable bowel syndrome. The use of particular food products with a prebiotic effect has thus been tested in clinical trials with the objective to improve the clinical activity and well-being of patients with such disorders. Partially Hydrolyzed Guar Gum (PHGG) is a natural dietary fiber (Benefibra™, Novartis CH Italy): it is a white powder, water-soluble, colorless and transparent in water solution and almost tasteless. PHGG is stable and soluble at various pH levels commonly found in foods as well as resistant to heat, acid, salt, high pressure and digestive enzymes. Low viscosity of PHGG provides a distinct advantage for the use of fiber in enteral feeding products to be administered through feeding tubes. It has been studied in adults, both healthy volunteers and patients, in different disorders such as constipation, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), enteral nutrition, small intestine bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) and, very recently, in children suffering from functional abdominal pain according to the Rome III Criteria definition for functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs). This review takes stock of the situation concerning what is known to date on PHGG as dietary fiber, in order to give the health care professionals, such as gastroenterologists, dieticians and general practitioners, a complete overview on its intrinsic characteristics, preclinical and clinical evaluations, uses in different situations as supportive therapy in the management of the main intestinal functional disorders both in adults and in children.
Methods:
All the papers on PHGG, published from the early 1990s of the Last Century to the Year 2013, have been considered. All types of publications have been included. PubMed, Medline, Ovid were the main sources adopted for data retrieving.
Results:
PHGG has been studied in both animals and humans; its safety is well known and several clinical uses are well established. Concerning the modulation of metabolism in human, very little has been done to date and the studies have been focused, for the most part, on the functional diseases: PHGG has been proved to be useful in treating both IBS -C and D symptoms, not only in adults but also in children; data on constipation are relatively scarce and what can be deduced from the Literature is that the high concentration of fiber gives the PHGG the possibility of being used effectively in acceptable dosages (up to 22 g/day) even in situations such as chronic constipation. The use in clinical nutrition has revealed the flexibility of the compound which, owing to its peculiar characteristics, does not gel and remains liquid, PHGG can be used successfully in patients in enteral nutrition lowering the incidence of diarrhea. New open horizons can be glimpsed for SIBO treatment, lowering or maximizing the antibiotics use.
Conclusion:
Not all the fibers are the same: this is a fact. Promoting the specific knowledge of their characteristics is very important if healthcare professionals want to give their patients the best options for functional gastrointestinal disorders or nutritional needs. PHGG (Benefiber™ Novartis CH) has been proved to be safe and effective in promoting gut health.
... Mean methane excretion seems to be higher in subjects suffering from functional constipation than in those with IBS-C. 45 There is no specific treatment and antibiotics do not have any effect on both reduction of methane amount produced and related symptoms. furnari et al. evaluated the effectiveness of PHGG in reducing methane production in IBS-C: 40 methane producer patients were enrolled and randomized to receive 5 g PHGG daily for 4 weeks or alternatively to have no treatment (controls); 50 g GBT test and Gastrointestinal Symptoms Score (GSS) questionnaire were performed at month 1 and 4. The authors showed that PHGG effectively reduced methane excretion and symptoms in these subjects (P<0.001). ...
The prevalence of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) symptoms in pregnancy is very high, up to 80%, with a maximum peak during the third trimester. Together with lifestyle modifications, antacids and antisecretive agents, such as proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) and histamine H2receptor antagonists (H2RAs), are commonly prescribed in non-pregnant, adult population. In certain Countries these drugs are not allowed in or are allowed only during the late stages of pregnancy. Alginate-based formulations have been used for the symptomatic treatment of heartburn for decades, as they usually contain sodium or potassium bicarbonate. In the presence of gastric acid, a foamy raft is created above the gastric contents. The alginate raft moves into the esophagus in place or ahead of acidic gastric contents during reflux episodes physically preventing reflux of gastric contents into the esophagus. Alginate-based formulations are allowed with no restrictions also in pregnancy: their safety profile make them a very valid option taking into account the risk/benefit ratio for both parturient and unborn baby. This systematic review paper aims to explore the use of medications for treating GERD in pregnancy, including alginate raft-forming-agents, highlighting the benefits for both the mother and the fetus. Electronic search in databases was conducted on databases such as Medline, PubMed, Ovid retrieving data concerning the reflux treatments in pregnancy, with a special focus on alginate raft forming antireflux agents. From the literature on alginate use in pregnancy, no particular risks have been shown to date for both parturient and unborn baby when alginate had been administered during all the pregnancy trimesters. The physical mode of action ensures the maximum esophageal protection by the neutral foam floating in the stomach, maintaining physiological pH values at stomach level, without interfering with the digestive processes. The symptoms' healing has been markedly improved during the weeks of observation; the symptoms monitored in all studies were: heartburn, regurgitation, pain (chest). After four weeks of treatment little or no change was observed in maternal mean sodium or potassium concentrations. No sodium restriction diet has been adopted. No edema of lower limbs or weight gain occurred. No adverse reactions related to the testing drug had been reported and all the authors concluded that alginate was safe for the unborn baby. Nowadays pharmacological treatments for GER are available as OTC drugs, including antacids, antisecretive agents, PPIs and H2RAs, and as medical devices, such as alginate raft forming antireflux agents (i.e.: Reflubloc™, Novartis NCH Italy). On this last product, considering the specific indication in pregnancy and the safety profile, without restrictions of administration during the whole pregnancy period, furthermore the physical mode of action, it gives the gynecologists a very important option in treating GER in pregnancy, taking care of both pregnant and fetus. Raft-forming-antireflux agents are safe and effective in GER treatment during pregnancy.
Digestive health plays key role in our active daily life; but maintaining proper bowel movements, i.e., being free from constipation, diarrhea, irritable bowel syndrome, inflammatory bowel disease, flatulence, bloating, and abdominal pain, is complex. Dietary fibers often are recommended to maintain proper digestive health, but none seems to provide a single comprehensive solution for overall maintanance of proper digestive health. Guar fiber, however, has emerged as a credible candidate for just such a solution. This review focused on summarizing the clinically observed effects of guar fiber on digestive health. Several clinical studies suggest the guar fiber normalizes both constipation and diarrheal conditions. Also, it was effective in alleviating the symptoms associated with irritable bowel syndrome. The studies suggest that a regular intake of 5 to 10 g/d guar fiber is effective to treat most of the morbidities associated with digestive health. Guar fiber is all natural. It may offer potential protection and promotion of digestive health both alone and when combined with probiotics as a synbiotic formula.
ResearchGate has not been able to resolve any references for this publication.