Fermented soy supplementation improves indicators of quality of life: a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind trial in adults experiencing heartburn

Abstract

Objective To determine if fermented soy supplementation relieves heartburn and improves gastrointestinal symptoms and quality of life, a randomized, double-blind parallel study was conducted with adults experiencing mild or moderate heartburn. Participants consumed up to 3, 1 g sachets of flavored, Lactobacillus delbrueckii fermented with soy flour (n = 23) or placebo (maltodextrin) (n = 27) sachets per heartburn incident as needed for 3 weeks. Symptom intensity at 5, 15, and 30 min post-administration was assessed using a Likert-like scale. The Gastrointestinal Symptoms Rating Scale (GSRS) and Gastro-esophageal Reflux Disease Quality of Life Questionnaire (GERD-QOL) were administered at baseline, post-intervention and following a 1-week washout. Results No significant differences between groups were seen for heartburn severity or frequency, GSRS syndromes, or GERD-QOL domains. However, individual QOL items related to inconvenience of taking medications, fear of eating, inability to concentrate at work, and disturbance of after-meal activities and rest improved with fermented soy compared to placebo. Frequency of heartburn, diarrhea, and bloating improved during washout vs. baseline for the fermented soy group compared to placebo. Lactobacillus delbrueckii fermented soy supplementation improved QOL indicators and may decrease heartburn occurrence over time vs. an acute effect; efficacy of daily intake and longer duration requires investigation. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13104-020-05205-z) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Gastro-Protective Effect of Fermented Soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) in a Rat Model of Ethanol/HCl-Induced Gastric Injury

“…We calculated using the HED convertation method in the previous papers, in which a human supplement dose was converted to rats [ 11 , 12 ]. The clinical dose of Gastro-AD ® ranges from 500 mg to 3000 mg/day [ 10 , 13 ], which for the converted dose of Gastro-AD ® ranges from 51.7 mg to 310 mg/kg/day in rats. After oral administration of 1 mL of rebamipide or Gastro-AD ® for 14 days, 1 mL of rebamipide or Gastro-AD with 1 mL of 40% ethanol was administrated for 7 days.…”

“…Fermentation causes different physical and chemical changes in soybean according to the different organisms and fermentation conditions used [ 9 ]. Fatani et al [ 10 ] showed that soybean fermented using Lactobacillus delbrueckii ssp. delbrueckii Rosell-187 suppressed heartburn occurrence in individuals who experienced mild or moderate heartburn.…”

Profiling of Metabolites in a Fermented Soy Dietary Supplement Reinforces its Role in the Management of Intestinal Inflammation

“…Briefly, in clinical and preclinical studies, GAD was associated with immunoregulatory activity, with reduced gastric inflammation and acid secretion in mice after an ethanol/HCl challenge, [ 30 ] reduced gastric ulcer scores in equine use, [ 32 ] and showed quality‐of‐life improvements in humans experiencing heartburn. [ 31 ] In a trial involving a GAD‐containing investigational product, the pain‐reduction effects reported in the studies were rapid, with >60% of respondents reporting pain reduction within 30 min. [ 62 ] Given the pain reduction timeline, cyclooxygenase‐2 (COX‐2) inhibition could play a role, reducing inflammation by arresting the conversion of arachidonic acid to prostaglandins, the mechanism through which NSAIDs exhibit efficacy.…”

“…Trials in adults’ experiencing heartburn demonstrated that quality of life parameters improved within the GAD group versus control, with potential decreases in heartburn scores over time. [ 31 ] Equine trials used GAD with efficacy to manage squamous ulcers. [ 32 ] Early clinical studies in eastern Europe, under the old trade name Gastropharm, demonstrated an antiulcerative effect.…”

Investigating the Influence of Early Gastric Discomfort Symptoms on Life Quality and the Interventional Effects of a Stomach-Protecting Formula

“…Hence, a nutritious and healthy food, which could rapidly neutralize gastric acid, heal ulcers and relieve symptoms, is in urgent need. Gastro-AD soy protein powder is derived from ferments of soy by Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp., which can significantly alleviate stomach symptoms such as heartburn and stomach pain [5,6]. In vitro studies indicated that dietary fibers (resistant starch) can effectively protect rats from gastric mucosal damage caused by alcohol [7,8].…”