Gunnard K. Jacobson
Lesaffre Yeast Corporation/Lesaffre Human Care/USA
Title: Saccharomyces cerevisiae CNCM I-3856: a new strategy to improve abdominal pain/digestive discomfort
Biography
Biography: Gunnard K. Jacobson
Abstract
With a worldwide prevalence of 5-20%, Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is associated with high direct and indirect health costs. Its pathogenesis remains unclear, the efficacy of available treatments is modest and short-term, and their tolerance is poor. Saccharomyces cerevisiae CNCM I-3856, proprietary to Lesaffre, has been evaluated in a randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial in 179 adults with IBS according to Rome III criteria. Patients received either 500 mg of CNCM I-3856 daily or a placebo for 8 weeks followed by a 3-week washout period. After a 2-week run-in period, cardinal symptoms (abdominal pain/discomfort, bloating/distension, flatulence, bowel movement difficulty) and changes in stool frequency and consistency were recorded daily and assessed each week. In the last 4 weeks of treatment, the proportion of responders, defined by an improvement of abdominal pain/discomfort, was significantly higher (p = 0.04) in the CNCM I-3856 group than the placebo group (63% vs. 47%). These clinical results were strengthened by multiple-choice questionnaires evaluating consumer satisfaction of Ibsium®, a CNCM I-3856 food supplement. Upon physician recommendation, 1161 patients consumed one Ibsium® capsule per day for a 1 to 3-month period. 96% reported a significant improvement of their symptoms (mainly abdominal pain (64%) and bloating (70%)), and, for 77% of subjects, this improvement was obtained within the first 5 to 15 days of consumption. 99% of consumers reported that they tolerated the product well. Ibsium® (Saccharomyces cerevisiae CNCM I-3856) is a natural, well-tolerated solution for the long-term management of abdominal discomfort; offering relief without side effects or habituation.