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. A method of reducing a symptom of irritable bowel syndrome, improving stool consistency in a patient afflicted with non-constipated irritable bowel syndrome, decreasing urgency in a patient afflicted with irritable bowel syndrome, increasing lactose digestion, managing or increasing a subject's carbohydrate absorption, or increasing carbohydrate absorption in a subject, comprising:
identifying a patient suffering from or at risk of developing irritable bowel syndrome, and
administering to said patient a composition comprising Bacillus coagulans bacteria selected from the group consisting of GBI-20 (ATCC Designation Number PTA-6085), GBI-30 (ATCC Designation Number PTA-6086), and GBI-40 (ATCC Designation Number PTA-6087),
wherein said composition further comprises a lactase, and a ratio of the lactase IU to the Bacillus coagulans bacteria is from 1:10 to 10:1, and
wherein said symptom includes alternating diarrhea and constipation.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein said bacteria is derived from Bacillus coagulans hammer strain Accession No. ATCC 31284.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein said composition further comprises a supplementary enzyme, wherein said enzyme is selected from the group consisting of a lactase, a fructase, a lipase, an amylase and a protease.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein said symptom is selected from the group consisting of gas, bloating and intestinal discomfort.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein said composition further comprises an anti-gas agent, an anti-diarrheal agent or a laxative agent.
6. The method of claim 5 , wherein said anti-gas agent is selected from the group of α-galactosidase enzyme, simethicone, calcium carbonate, aluminum hydroxide and magnesium hydroxide.
7. The method of claim 5 , wherein said anti-diarrheal agent is selected from the group consisting of loperamide, attapulgite, Croton Lechleri Extract, and calcium polycarbophil.
8. The method of claim 5 , wherein said laxative agent is selected from the group consisting of a sennoside, docusate sodium, magnesium hydroxide, and a dietary fiber.
9. The method of claim 1 , wherein said Bacillus coagulans bacteria are provided in an amount of from about 1×10 8 to about 1×10 10 viable bacteria.
10. The method of claim 1 , wherein the Bacillus coagulans bacteria are in the form of spores, vegetative cells or a combination thereof.
11. The method of claim 1 , wherein said composition further comprises a lactase, and said composition comprises a ratio of about 1 IU of the lactase to about every 3 Bacillus coagulans bacteria.
12. The method of claim 1 , wherein the ratio of the lactase IU to the Bacillus coagulans bacteria is from 1:3 to 3:1.
13. The method of claim 1 , wherein the ratio of the lactase to the Bacillus coagulans bacteria is 1:1 to 1:5.
14. The method of claim 1 , wherein said composition further comprises a fructase, and said Bacillus coagulans bacteria is provided at a concentration of from about 1×10 8 to about 1×10 10 viable bacteria.
15. The method of claim 1 , wherein said Bacillus coagulans bacteria is substantially purified.
16. The method of claim 1 , wherein said composition further comprises a lactase, and said composition does not contain Lactobacillus acidophilus bacteria.
17. The method of claim 16 , wherein said composition comprises a ratio of about 1 IU of the lactase to about every 3 Bacillus coagulans bacteria.
18. The method of claim 17 , wherein said Bacillus coagulans bacteria is provided at a concentration of from about 1×10 8 to about 1×10 10 viable bacteria.