薬理と治療

Abstract

Objectives This study elucidated the effects of food containing Euglena gracilis on improvement in constipation. Methods This open study included 20 healthy adult volunteers（females, n＝20, 20︱60 years） who consumed a placebo or test food（low dose, medium dose, high dose）for 8 weeks. For the main evaluation items, defecation frequency, defecation days, excretion amount are used. We examined times per day for stool frequency. The defecation days counted the number of days during which one week defecation occurred. For the secondary evaluation, the shape of the stool, color of the stool, smell of feces, sensation after defecation were used. In addition, when defecation occurred more than once a day, the above contents were investigated at each defecation. Results The number of defecation days and defecation frequency in test food group were significantly different to those in the placebo group after 8 weeks of intake. In the other hand, no fluctuation due to intake of the test meal was observed in the feces shape, the color of the stool, the smell of feces, and the sensation after defecation. Conclusions Food containing Euglena gracilis can suppress on improvement in constipation.