The Effects of Complex Lactobacillus on Bowel Function in Nursing Home Elderly

複合乳酸菌對護理之家老年人腸道功能之影響

劉玉來(Yu-Lai Liu) ； 楊淑惠(Shwu-Huey Yang) ； 黃建勳(Chien-Hsun Huang) ； 曾慶孝(Chin-Hsiao Tseng)

《台灣老年醫學暨老年學雜誌》 5卷2期 (2010/05) Pp. 105-116

摘要

Background: Lactobacillus is a gut microflora in humans that plays a helpful role in disease prevention and health maintenance. We evaluated whether a designed complex compound of lactobacillus, including Lactobacillus bifidus, Lactobacillus acidophilus, and Bacillus subtilis natto, given in a total amount of 108 colony-forming units (CFU) daily, might improve the bowel function in nursing home elderly.
Methods: We conducted a randomized, double-blind, cross-over, placebo-controlled study among 38 nursing-home residents who were ≥65 years old at a community hospital in central Taiwan. The participants were randomized into either an experimental group who received the complex lactobacillus compound (6 g/day); or a placebo group who received glucose polymer (3 g/day). The 10-week study consisted of an initial period of 4 weeks, a 2-week wash-out period and followed by a final period of 4 weeks. We collected data on daily activities, bowel movements, and amount of enemas used. Participants did not change their diets or activity, and usual medications.
Results: Stool frequency at week 1 was significantly increased and enema use was significantly decreased at week 2 in the experimental group (p＜0.01). However, there was no significant difference in the amount or color of stool between these experiment and placebo groups. This study showed that adding complex lactobacillus compound into the diet improved bowel function among subjects, but these effects did not maintain after 2 weeks intervention.
Conclusion: Providing 6 g complex lactobacillus compound per day improved fecal output frequency at week 1 and reduced the use of enemas at week 2 in nursing home for elderly. However, these effects were not observed with prolonged use.

關鍵字

複合乳酸菌 ； 長期照護 ； 老人 ； 腸道功能 ； 便秘

並列摘要

Background: Lactobacillus is a gut microflora in humans that plays a helpful role in disease prevention and health maintenance. We evaluated whether a designed complex compound of lactobacillus, including Lactobacillus bifidus, Lactobacillus acidophilus, and Bacillus subtilis natto, given in a total amount of 108 colony-forming units (CFU) daily, might improve the bowel function in nursing home elderly.
Methods: We conducted a randomized, double-blind, cross-over, placebo-controlled study among 38 nursing-home residents who were ≥65 years old at a community hospital in central Taiwan. The participants were randomized into either an experimental group who received the complex lactobacillus compound (6 g/day); or a placebo group who received glucose polymer (3 g/day). The 10-week study consisted of an initial period of 4 weeks, a 2-week wash-out period and followed by a final period of 4 weeks. We collected data on daily activities, bowel movements, and amount of enemas used. Participants did not change their diets or activity, and usual medications.
Results: Stool frequency at week 1 was significantly increased and enema use was significantly decreased at week 2 in the experimental group (p＜0.01). However, there was no significant difference in the amount or color of stool between these experiment and placebo groups. This study showed that adding complex lactobacillus compound into the diet improved bowel function among subjects, but these effects did not maintain after 2 weeks intervention.
Conclusion: Providing 6 g complex lactobacillus compound per day improved fecal output frequency at week 1 and reduced the use of enemas at week 2 in nursing home for elderly. However, these effects were not observed with prolonged use.

並列關鍵字

complex lactobacillus ； long-term care ； elderly ； bowel function ； constipation