Use of a Novel Probiotic Formulation to Alleviate Lactose Intolerance Symptoms - a Pilot Study

Gingold-Belfer R, et al

Published in Probiotics and Antimicrobial Proteins

Methodology

Pilot randomised trial in adults with lactose intolerance using a novel probiotic formulation over 6 months, with hydrogen breath testing and symptom scores after lactose challenge.

Key Findings

In a small pilot of lactose-intolerant adults, a multi-strain probiotic formulation taken over 6 months reduced hydrogen breath test values and self-reported bloating, abdominal pain and diarrhoea after lactose challenge in most participants.

Conclusions

A targeted probiotic formulation may ease lactose intolerance symptoms, but with only 8 participants this is hypothesis-generating rather than practice-changing.

Limitations

Very small pilot (n=8) without a placebo control group of meaningful size, open-label symptom reporting, and no comparison with lactase supplementation.