Bimuno IBAID
The Clinical Challenge
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is the commonest functional G.I. disorder1. Depending on criteria used to define IBS, its UK prevalence in the general adult population is up to 20%, or one in five2. This equates to 9 million UK sufferers of which around 2.5 million are diagnosed. In many sufferers, it is a chronic disorder3 and patients experience significant impairment in health related quality of life. Contribution of IBS to annual health care cost is high and patients can also lose significant amounts of time off work. The diagnosis of IBS has importance, therefore, in both human and economic terms4.
More about Bimuno® IBAID
Bimuno IBAID is formulated with the specific needs of IBS sufferers in mind. It is formulated to provide the optimum dosage based on the findings of the IBS clinical trial7as well as taking into consideration IBS sufferers’ need for a discrete, easy to use formulation.
It is clinically proven to help prevent the symptoms of IBS as well as to enhance the gut’s bifidobacterial population. IBS sufferers generally have lower levels of Bifidobacteria compared to normal populations8. Bimuno IBAID has also been proven to help reduce abdominal bloating and related gut problems in healthy adults9.
There is considerable discussion concerning the evidence for restricting the use of rapidly fermentable, short-chain carbohydrates (FODMAPs) in IBS patients and others with functional gastrointestinal symptoms. The concerns relate mainly to bloating and gas production. Whereas the evidence is ‘emerging’ and is at the junction of experimental and clinical arenas, concerned Healthcare Professionals could consider the use of Bimuno® IBAID as it is structurally different to FODMAPs. Moreover, Bimuno® IBAID is fermented by Bifidobacterium species, which are known not to produce gas. Furthermore there is clinical evidence that it helps reduce such symptoms in IBS patients7and healthy adults9.
The Clinical Evidence
Prevention of IBS Symptoms:
• Bimuno significantly improved stool consistency, bloating and flatulence, composite score of IBS symptoms, SGA and anxiety scores7
• It significantly increased Bifidobacteria numbers in IBS patients7
Prevention of Pathogenic G.I. bacteria colonisation:
Bimuno strongly inhibited the attachment and colonisation of G.I. pathogenic bacteria ~ enteropathogenic Escherichia coli5 and Salmonella Typhimurium5,6.
Reduction in Gut related problems in healthy adults:
• Significant reduction in reported bloating discomfort and flatulence compared to placebo and baseline within one week9
• Significant reduction in abdominal pain compared to placebo and baseline within two weeks9
• Significant reduction in the need to defecate compared to placebo and baseline within two weeks9.
Who can benefit from Bimuno® IBAID?
It is ideal for patients and customers who are proactive about their gut health but also IBS patients and other customers suffering from gut related problems.Specifically, the following people can benefit from Bimuno® IBAID:
• Diagnosed IBS patients
• Those suffering from bloating, flatulence and abdominal pain
• Those wishing to maintain digestive health
• Anyone who is proactive about their gut health
IBS patients, for whom FODMAPs may not be suitable, could benefit from Bimuno® IBAID.
Recommending Bimuno® IBAID
Bimuno IBAID is classed as a food supplement and does not have any of the warnings and contra-indications associated with medicinal products.
Although no adverse effects have been reported, it should be noted that Bimuno® IBAID contains small amounts of lactose (from milk).
The product contains 30 chewable pastilles and the active ingredient is galacto-oligosaccharides equivalent to a daily dose of 1.38g. It is free from artificial colours, flavours and preservatives and is gluten free. The lactose content is 0.36g* per daily dose. Per daily dose it contains 13 kcal, 1.6g of sugar and 0.0g of fat.
It is suitable for children aged 12 years and over and for adults.
The dosage is two pastilles per day. For best results the two pastilles should be taken after breakfast. Since the benefits build over time, a daily intake is recommended.
Reference:
1. Drossman D et al. Dig Dis Sci 1993;38:1569-1580.
2. Jones R et al. BMJ 1992;304:87-90.
3. Silk DBA. Eur J Gastroenterology & Hepatology 2001;13:1327-1332.
4. Silk DBA. Eur J Gastroenterology & Hepatology 2003;15:679-696.
5. Tzortzis et al. J Nutr 2005;135:1726-1731.
6. Searle LEJ et al. Journal of Medical Microbiology 2009;58:37-48.
7. Silk DBA et al. Aliment Pharmacol Ther 2009;29:508-518.
8. Microbiologica 1982;5:185-194.
9. Awaiting publication.
* Lactose doses of less than 10g per day are likely
to be tolerated by most of the population of lactose deficient adults. EFSA
Journal (2007) 565,1-6.