Do synbiotics provide healthful benefits in gastrointestinal related issues in weight loss surgery patients?

Abstract

The clinical community accepts that synbiotics provide positive gut health benefits, i.e. improvement in bowel function and reduction in gastrointestinal distress symptoms such as bloating. However, when conducting a literature review on probiotics and prebiotics, specifically related to bariatric surgery recipients, most of the research studies have poor quality, do not cite the quantity of each strain being studied, or review changes in gastrointestinal related symptoms. The primary objective of this double blind, randomized control trial was to test the efficacy of a once daily, multi-strain synbiotic on gut health changes in weight loss surgery patients by analyzing stool samples prior to administration and three months post administration of a synbiotic to monitor any changes quantity or type of bacteria in the stool samples. Study participants also completed weekly surveys that evaluated their bowel habits and stool consistency post supplementation. A chi-square test was performed to examine associations between synbiotic intake and gastrointestinal related symptoms. Results showed statistically significant reduction in all gastrointestinal symptoms post synbiotic supplementation. The long-term goal is to disseminate these findings and impact clinical care of patients by incorporating synbiotics into standards of care for weight loss surgery patients to reduce gastrointestinal side effects, such as bloating and irregular bowel patterns, that are present in patients after surgery. The specific aims of this study include: 1) To determine whether synbiotic intake causes gastrointestinal symptoms in post-bariatric surgery patients, compared with no synbiotic, 2) To assess colonization of differing bacterial groups in stool samples pre- and post- synbiotic administration by comparing quantity and changes in each bacterial strain