New Meta-Analysis Confirms Yeast Supplement's Efficacy in Managing Gastrointestinal Symptoms

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A meta-analysis¹ recently published in the World of Gastroenterology strengthens previous conclusions about the capacity of ibSium, a yeast supplement from Lesaffre Human Care (Marcq-en-Barœul, France), to alleviate symptoms of gastrointestinal disorder.

Specifically, the researchers performed an individual patient-data meta-analysis on data collected during two randomized clinical trials^2,3 studying the effects of daily ibSium (Saccharomyces cerevisiae CNCM I-3856) supplementation among 579 otherwise healthy volunteers suffering from irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Such subjects are accepted as a suitable study group for evaluating gastrointestinal discomfort and for substantiating gut-health claims for the broader population.

According to a company press release, statistical analysis of volunteers’ scores for abdominal pain/discomfort and bloating and measures of stool frequency and consistency confirmed that subjects consuming the yeast supplement felt 12.3% less pain/gastrointestinal discomfort (p=0.01) than those in the placebo group, which result exceeds the 10% minimum threshold considered clinically relevant by the scientific community.

Among a subgroup of subjects with constipation-predominant IBS (ICS-C), those taking the supplement felt 12.3% less bloated (p=0.04) than those in the placebo cohort and described their stool consistency as significantly higher and “normal” vis-à-vis the placebo (p=0.0003) upon termination of supplementation.

“Beyond the scientifically vetted proof of efficacy it provides, this new official publication is a recognition of the company’s long-term investment in providing strong scientific and clinical data to substantiate the health benefits of its patented ingredient,” said Elodie Ruffin, product manager for probiotics at Lesaffre Human Care, in the press release. With roughly one-third of the global population logging some degree of gut-related complaint, “it is our responsibility, as one of the major companies in the human care segment, to contribute to improving the quality of life of these people by providing a natural alternative proven to help ease gastrointestinal symptoms,” Ruffin said.

The release also noted that the product has a track record for safety, fast action, and tolerability, with no side effects or habituation. Health Canada granted ibSium use of the health claim, “Helps to reduce abdominal pain and discomfort associated with Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS),” in 2015.

References:

1. Cayzeele-Decherf A et al., “Saccharomyces cerevisiae CNCM I-3856 in irritable bowel syndrome: an individual subject meta-analysis,” World Journal of Gastroenterology, vol.23, no. 2 (March 2017): 336-344
2. Pineton de Chambrun G et al., “A randomized clinical trial of Saccharomyces cerevisiae versus placebo in the irritable bowel syndrome,” Digestive and Liver Disease, vol. 47, no. 2 (February 2015): 119-124
3. Spiller RS et al., “Randomized double blind placebo-controlled trial of Saccharomyces cerevisiae CNCM I-3856 in irritable bowel syndrome: improvement in abdominal pain and bloating in those with predominant constipation,” United European Gastroenterology Journal, vol. 4, no. 3 (June 2016): 353-362