Clinical Effects of Wakunaga Probiotics

 May Reduce Diarrhea and Constipation

Improvements in both diarrhea and constipation have been noted from Wakunaga Probiotics suggesting they have a normalizing effect on the intestinal tract. A clinical study of 180 patients from eight different medical facilities in Japan noted significant improvement in patients with soft stools or diarrhea from taking a probiotic product containing Wakunaga's Lactobacillus acidophilus (L. acidophilus) and Bifidobacterium bifidum (B. bifidum) (Table 1).³ Consistency and odor of stools also improved. 

By comparison, improvement in diarrhea was noted in less than 45% of placebo subjects. A smaller clinical study by Dr. Honma et al.⁴ noted a reduction in diarrhea in 94% of patients (18 total) taking the same probiotic. Another pilot study using this probiotic, conducted by Dr. Terry Willard in Calgary, Canada, showed significant improvement in 11 of 13 subjects with diarrhea.⁵

^{Table 1. Effect of Multi-strain Product  on Diarrhea} 

Regarding constipation, a clinical study of 39 patients showed improvement in 95% of the subjects after taking a mult-istrain product including Wakunaga's probiotics.⁴ Another clinical study using the same product showed improvement in 58 of 64 subjects with constipation (Table 2).³ 

Table 2. Usefulness of Multi-strain Product on Improving Intestinal Conditions

Abdominal distension improved in 63 of 66 subjects and frequency, hardness and odor also improved (Table 3). B. bifidum, alone has been shown to reduce colonic constipation in 83% of subjects (see table below).³ Bifidobacteria and acidophilus produce substantial amounts of acetic and lactic acid, respectively, and it is likely that both this effect, as well as adhesion of these strains to the intestinal mucosae, are responsible for improvement in constipation.^4,6,7

Table 3. Effect of Multi-Strain Product On Constipation