Deerland Probiotics and Enzymes has announced the publication of a clinical study showing the administration of the probiotic Bacillus subtilis DE111 can support gastrointestinal function in preschool-aged children.
The study, “Effect of Daily Bacillus subtilis DE111 Intake on Gastrointestinal Health and Respiratory Infections in Children Attending Day-care” published in the Journal of Probiotics and Health, is an IRB-approved, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial involving 81 children from 2-6.
Researchers analysed the incidence and duration of symptoms of gastrointestinal and respiratory infections after eight weeks and then again after four weeks post-termination.
Results of the study showed that daily consumption of the probiotic strain at 1 billion CFU supported a reduction in duration of vomiting, hard stools and overall gastrointestinal discomfort.
Specifically, results in the probiotic group showed a statistically significant reduction in vomiting duration – 2 days in the probiotic group versus 14 days in the placebo group, and significant reduction in duration of hard stools – 0 days in the probiotic group versus 15 days in the placebo group.
For overall gastrointestinal discomfort, those children in the probiotic group had a significantly lower 18 days of discomfort while those in the placebo group had 48 days. Additionally, a strong trend was observed in the lowering of gastrointestinal infection incidences, 7.1% in the DE111 group versus 20.5% in the placebo group; as well as a reduction of GI infection durations, 8 days in the DE111 group versus 28 days in the placebo group.
The researchers concluded, based on the distinctions between the two groups, “Supplementing with B. subtilis DE111 supports a healthy gastrointestinal tract with a reduced duration of vomiting, hard stools and overall gastrointestinal discomfort. Furthermore, B. subtilis DE111 was shown to be safe for use in children aged 2-6 years old.”
“This is highly encouraging research showing that supplementation with the probiotic DE111 can help support the health of young children in preschool, via the gastrointestinal system,” said John Deaton, VP of Science and Technology at Deerland.
