Can a probiotic get things moving? new trial tests b. longum for constipation
NCT ID NCT06686420
First seen Jun 26, 2026 · Last updated Jun 26, 2026
Summary
This study is testing whether a daily supplement containing the B. longum probiotic can help adults who have infrequent bowel movements (less than 3 per week). Over 8 weeks, 80 participants will take either the probiotic or a placebo and track their bowel habits. The goal is to see if the supplement increases bowel movement frequency and improves stool consistency.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- B. longum probiotic supplement
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this could offer a natural, over-the-counter option to help relieve constipation without medication.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small, early-stage trial with only 80 participants. The supplement may not work better than a placebo, and results may not apply to everyone.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
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Not a phased trial
Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.
- Participants
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About 80 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Started
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May 2024
- Expected to finish
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Dec 2026
An estimate. End dates often move.
- Lead sponsor
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A company
The lead sponsor is a pharmaceutical, biotech, or medical-device company.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
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18 to 65 years
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Accepted
You do not need to have the condition being studied to take part.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: * Is willing to participate in the study and comply with its procedures. * Be able to give written informed consent. * Adults aged ≥18 years and ≤65 years. * Experience less than 3 bowel movements per week within the past three months. * ≥25% of bowel movements with stool firmness, less than Type-3 based on Bristol Stool Scale (BSS), within the past three months. * Record less than 6 bowel movements in eDiary App during the two-week run-in period. * Is willing to maintain the current diet and level of physical activity throughout the study period. Exclusion Criteria: * Participants who are pregnant or wish to become pregnant during the study, or who are currently breastfeeding. * Participants currently of biological childbearing potential, but not using continuous effective method of contraception, as outlined below: 1. Complete abstinence from intercourse two weeks prior to administration of the Study Product, throughout the clinical study, until the completion of follow-up procedures or for two weeks following discontinuation of the Study Product in cases where Participant discontinues the study prematurely. (Participants utilizing this method must agree to use an alternate method of contraception if they should become sexually active and will be queried on whether they have been abstinent in the preceding two weeks when they present to the clinic for the final Visit). 2. Has a male sexual partner who is surgically sterilized prior to the Screening Visit and is the only male sexual partner for that Participant. 3. Sexual partner(s) is/are exclusively female. 4. Use of acceptable method of contraception, such as a spermicide, mechanical barrier (e.g., male condom, female diaphragm), tubal ligation, or contraceptive pill. The Participant must be using this method for at least one week prior to and one week following the end of the study. 5. Use of any intrauterine device (IUD) or contraceptive implant. The Participant must have the device inserted at least two weeks prior to the first Screening Visit, throughout the study, and two weeks following the end of the study. * Participants reporting current, or historical alcohol or drug abuse in the past year. * Participants who have quit smoking in the 6-months prior to screening. * Participants with a known allergy to the Study Product's active or inactive ingredients. * Participants with chronic disease who require long-term medication throughout the whole study period. * Participants with a significant acute, chronic or un-controlled coexisting illness or is taking medication/supplements that would put the Participant at risk or confound the interpretation of the study results, as judged by the investigator. * Participants who regularly take medications, that are thought to affect defecation, including regular laxative use. (Occasional laxative use (PRN) \< 3 times per month is acceptable). * Participants who regularly consume supplements that are thought to affect defecation, including but not limited to fiber, iron, and magnesium. * Participants who are consuming oral antibiotics at screening, during run-in and for the duration of the study. * Participants who have consumed probiotic supplements and prebiotic supplements 8 weeks prior to Visit 2. * Participants who have consumed fermented foods, that aid in bowel movement improvement such as yogurt, kefir, sauerkraut, kimchi, soy-based fermented food, miso, natto and fermented cheese, etc. within the 4 weeks prior to Visit 2. * Participants who are diagnosed with or undergoing treatment for any gastrointestinal conditions such as coeliac disease, diarrhea, Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, irritable bowel syndrome, diverticulosis, stomach or duodenal ulcers, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) or have undergone significant gastrointestinal surgery (appendectomy allowed). * Participants diagnosed with clinical depression, Parkinson's disease, anxiety, or an anxiety related disorder, who are undergoing treatment with medication. * Participants with clinically significant abnormal laboratory results at screening. * Individuals who are cognitively impaired and/or who are unable to give informed consent. * Participants may not be participating in other clinical studies. If the participant has previously taken part in an experimental study, the Investigator must ensure sufficient time has elapsed before entry to this study to ensure the integrity of the results. * Any Participant who is an employee of the investigational site or an Atlantia Clinical Trials employee or their close family member or a member of their household. * Individuals who, in the opinion of the investigator, are considered to be poor attendees or unlikely for any reason to be able to comply with the study.
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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Atlantia Clinical Trials
Chicago, Illinois, 60611, United States