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  • Original Article
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Yoghurt containing galacto-oligosaccharides, prunes and linseed reduces the severity of mild constipation in elderly subjects

European Journal of Clinical Nutrition volume 61, pages 1423–1428 (2007)Cite this article

Abstract

Objective:

Constipation is a common problem in the elderly. Dietary fibre is recommended for its treatment. The aim was to examine whether yoghurt containing galacto-oligosaccharides (GOS), prunes and linseed relieve constipation in elderly subjects.

Design:

A randomized, double-blinded, cross-over study.

Setting:

Free-living subjects.

Subjects:

A group of 43 elderly subjects with self-reported constipation (mean age 76 years, range 61–92 years, 32 females, 11 males).

Interventions:

The study consisted of a 2-week baseline period and 2, 3-week dietary interventions, with a 2-week wash-out period between the interventions. During the interventions, the subjects ingested, in random order, 260 g/day of either control yoghurt or test yoghurt containing GOS (12 g/day), prunes (12 g/day) and linseed (6 g/day). The use of laxatives was controlled and only allowed after 2 days without defecation.

Results:

Defecation frequency was 5.7 times/week during the baseline period. During the test yoghurt period, defecation frequency was higher (8.0 vs 7.1 times/week, P=0.011), defecation was easier (on the scale 0–3, 1.3 vs 1.5, P=0.010), and there was a tendency towards softer stools (on the scale 0–3, 2.1 vs 2.2, P=0.059) compared with the control yoghurt period. The subjects felt that the test yoghurt relieved constipation more effectively than the control yoghurt (P=0.005). The sum of gastrointestinal symptoms did not differ between the interventions. The use of laxatives remained constant throughout the study.

Conclusions:

Daily intake of yoghurt containing GOS, prunes and linseed reduced the severity of constipation in elderly subjects with mild constipation.

Sponsorship:

Valio Ltd, R&D.

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Acknowledgements

We thank Tuija Poussa, MSc, for statistical advice and to Mimi Ponsonby, MA, for editing the English.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Valio Ltd R&D, Helsinki, Finland

    U Sairanen & R Korpela

  2. Department of Allergy, Helsinki University Central Hospital, Helsinki, Finland

    L Piirainen

  3. Institute of Biomedicine, Pharmacology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland

    R Nevala & R Korpela

  4. Foundation for Nutrition Research, Helsinki, Finland

    R Korpela

Authors
  1. U Sairanen
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  2. L Piirainen
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  3. R Nevala
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  4. R Korpela
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to R Korpela.

Additional information

Guarantor: R Korpela.

Contributors: US, RN and RK contributed to the design of the study, US conducted the recruitment, intervention and data collection, and LP wrote the paper with the co-operation of the other authors.

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Sairanen, U., Piirainen, L., Nevala, R. et al. Yoghurt containing galacto-oligosaccharides, prunes and linseed reduces the severity of mild constipation in elderly subjects. Eur J Clin Nutr 61, 1423–1428 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ejcn.1602670

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ejcn.1602670

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