Methods For The Dietary Management Of Irritable Bowel Syndrome And Carbohydrate Malabsorption
The invention relates generally to digestive disorders, and in particular to methods for treating irritable bowel syndrome by increasing carbohydrate absorption by administering a composition containing a Bacillus coagulans bacterium.
1 .- 76 . (canceled)
77 . A method for increasing carbohydrate absorption in a mammal, comprising the steps of:
identifying a mammal having a symptom of carbohydrate malabsorption, and
orally administering to said mammal a composition comprising an effective amount of viable Bacillus coagulans bacteria,
wherein carbohydrate absorption is increased following said administration.
78 . The method of claim 77 , further comprising an effective amount of supplementary lactase to increase lactose digestion in said mammal.
79 . The method of claim 77 , further comprising an effective amount of supplementary fructase, an enzyme that catalyzes the hydrolysis of fructose, to increase fructose digestion in said mammal.
80 . The method of claim 77 , wherein said symptom of carbohydrate malabsorption is selected from the group consisting of lactose intolerance, fructose intolerance, glucose-galactose intolerance, and sorbitol intolerance.
81 . The method of claim 77 , wherein said mammal is human.
82 . The method of claim 78 , wherein said effective amount of supplementary lactase is from about 1000 IU to about 12,000 IU.
83 . The method of claim 79 , wherein said effective amount of supplementary fructase is from about 1000 IU to about 12,000 IU.
84 . The method of claim 77 , wherein said composition further comprises one or more components selected from the group consisting of an anti-diarrheal agent, an anti-gas agent, a laxative, a vitamin, a mineral, an isolated amino acid, a source of dietary fiber, and an antibiotic.
85 . The method of claim 77 , wherein said composition is in the form of a capsule, a tablet, a powder, a liquid, or a food product.
86 . The method of claim 77 , wherein said composition is administered once per day.
87 . The method of claim 77 , wherein said Bacillus coagulans bacteria comprise Bacillus coagulans hammer strain Accession No. ATCC 31284, or strains derived from Bacillus coagulans hammer strain Accession No. ATCC 31284.
88 . The method of claim 77 , wherein said Bacillus coagulans bacteria is purified.
89 . The method of claim 77 , wherein said composition comprises Bacillus coagulans bacteria at a concentration of from about 1×10 4 to about 1×10 12 viable bacteria.
90 . The method of claim 88 , wherein said composition does not contain Lactobacillus acidophilus bacteria.
91 . The method of claim 78 , wherein the mammal is diagnosed as suffering from or being at risk of developing celiac disease.
92 . The method of claim 77 , further comprising an effective amount of supplementary lactase to increase lactose digestion in said mammal and an effective amount of supplementary fructose, an enzyme that catalyzes the hydrolysis of fructose, to increase fructose digestion in said mammal.
93 . The method of claim 77 , wherein the Bacillus coagulans bacteria is present as at least 80% spores.