薬理と治療

Abstract

Objective　Kefir is a fermented dairy product including yeast and lactic acid bacteria. Kefir has been reported to improve the intestinal condition. We investigated the effect of Lactobacillus kefiri, a lactic acid bacteria contained in kefir, on improving bowel movements and intestinal environment. Methods　A randomized, placebo controlled, double︱blind, paralleled study was conducted for 32 healthy subjects（10 males and 22 females aged from 21 to 62 years）. Subjects consumed either placebo or test food（heat︱killed L. kefiri GKL2）for 4 weeks. Fecal sample were collected to measured intestinal flora, putrefactive products, organic acids, and assessed defecation status. Results　Ingestion of heat-killed L. kefiri GKL2 was significantly improved in bowel movements, intestinal flora, and fecal putrefactive products compared to the placebo group. Conclusion　These results suggest that heat-killed L. kefiri GKL2 improve the bowel movements and the satisfaction of defecation by improving the intestinal environment.