Effect of Lactosucrose on the Feeling of Defecation and the Condition of Feces in Adult Females

Abstract

4^G-β-D-Galactosylsucrose (lactosucrose, LS) is an indigestive oligosaccharide with Bifobacterium proliferation enhancing effects (Fig. 1). 110 healthy adult females (22.8±8.1 yrs of age) with constipation or a tendency to constipate were enrolled in the study. Stool improving effects due to ingestion of LS was investigated from the points of frequency of defecation, number of days of defecation, stool condition, and feeling to defecate. The study was divided into the following 3 groups: ingestion of 2g of LS group, ingestion of 3g of LS group, and ingestion of 5g of LS group (Table 1). The non-ingestion period (control period) was set at 2 weeks, the LS ingestion period at 2 weeks, and the induction period at 2 days after the start of ingestion (Fig. 2). Defecation condition and food composition were examined during the study period (Tables 1, 3) and the results obtained were pooled and analyzed. The results showed an increase in frequency of defecation and number of days of defecation during the LS ingestion period with a significant difference seen between the 3g/day and the 5g/day groups (p,0.05, Tables 4, 5). For subjects that tended to constipate where the frequency of defecation and number of days of defecation were few, there was a marked increase in these tendencies in the control period. The effect of LS on stools and frequency of defecation was not dose dependent and the effective dose was shown to be of a wide range (Fig. 3). As regard to the condition of defecation, the color of stools during the LS ingestion period tended to be slightly yellow. Banana shaped stools tended to increase significantly (p<0.005) and even in regard to hardness sensation, and appropriate softness of stools was seen (p<0.01). There was s significant increase in the feeling of refreshness after defecation (p<0.01, Fig. 4). In addition, most gastro-intestinal symptoms during the study period were transient (Table 6). From the above results, it was shown that laxation, and stool condition are improved by ingestion of LS.