Overview
This is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, 3 arm parallel group study of 12 weeks duration, with a 4-week run-in period as the control phase and an 8-week intervention period, to investigate the effectiveness of the treatment on upper GI disturbance.
Eligibility
Inclusion Criteria:
- Adults 18 years and over
- Generally healthy
- BMI <35kg/m2
- Able to provide informed consent
- Agree to not participate in another clinical trial while enrolled in this trial
- Females using a prescribed form of birth control (e.g. oral contraceptive)
- Experiencing moderate GI disturbances of the upper GI tract - 1 or multiple symptoms (reflux, heartburn, regurgitation, nausea, bloating, abdominal pain) at least once a week for at least 3 months.
- Normal dietary habits (no FODMAP diet, elimination diet, vegan diet, etc) with a minimum 2-month period of self-reported dietary stability.
- Agree to not change current diet and/or exercise frequency or intensity during entire study period
- Agree to not use any dietary supplements for gut health or digestive enzymes during the study period
Exclusion Criteria:
- Unstable(1) or serious illness (e.g. serious mood disorders such as depression or bipolar disorder, neurological disorders such as MS, kidney disease, liver disease, heart conditions, diabetes, thyroid gland dysfunction)
- People with a past or current history of GIT conditions e.g. inflammatory bowel disease, celiac disease or cystic fibrosis as well as gastrointestinal tract surgery
- Current malignancy (excluding BCC) or chemotherapy or radiotherapy treatment for malignancy within the previous 2 years
- Currently taking any proton pump inhibitors [e.g., pantoprazole (Somac), rabeprazole (Pariet), omeprazole (Losec) or any anticoagulation or antiplatelet medications [e.g. Coumadin (Warfarin), Heparin, Dalteparin, Enoxaparin, dabigatran (Pradaxa), rivaroxaban (Xarelto), apixaban (Eliquis), edoxaban (Savaysa), betrixaban (Bevyxxa), clopidogrel (Plavix), prasugrel (Effient), ticagrelor (Brilinta), cilostazol (Pletal) and dipyridamole (Attia, Ofcram, Persantin, Persantin Retard, Trolactin)] including low dose aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid)
- Active smokers, nicotine use or drug (prescription or illegal substances) abuse
- Allergic to any of the ingredients in active or placebo formula
- Pregnant or lactating woman or women trying to conceive
- Any condition which in the opinion of the investigator makes the participant unsuitable for inclusion (including hypercholesterolemia)
- Currently participating in any other clinical trial
Footnote
(1)An unstable illness is any illness that is currently not being treated with a stable
dose of medication or is fluctuating in severity. A serious illness is a condition that
carries a risk of mortality, negatively impacts quality of life and daily function and/or
is burdensome in symptoms and/or treatments.