--- title: Randomized Control Trial Explores Efficacy of Prebiotics for Adults With Occasional Constipation description: 11 g of GOS daily increased stool frequency in adults with occasional constipation, a randomized trial found. image: https://www.casi.org/hubfs/casi/archive/sciblog_16.jpg --- An **educational publication of Designs for Health** [For Practitioners →](https://www.designsforhealth.com) [![casilogoresize2-2](https://www.casi.org/hubfs/casilogoresize2-2.png)](https://www.casi.org/) [Home](https://www.casi.org/) [Science Update](https://www.casi.org/articles/tag/science-update) [Research & Education](https://www.casi.org/articles/tag/research-education) [Archive](https://www.casi.org/articles/all) Search articles Search Science Update # Randomized Control Trial Explores Efficacy of Prebiotics for Adults With Occasional Constipation CA Cory Ambrose, ND, MAT Apr 08, 2022 ![Randomized Control Trial Explores Efficacy of Prebiotics for Adults With Occasional Constipation](https://www.casi.org/hs-fs/hubfs/casi/archive/sciblog_16.jpg?width=960) Approximately one-third of adults 60 years of age and older report experiencing [occasional constipation](https://www.aafp.org/afp/2015/0915/p500.html#afp20150915p500-b1). Dietary and lifestyle changes are common interventions for constipation. Research has indicated that certain prebiotics may also support the body’s response to [constipation](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35057489/).   [Prebiotics](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30857316/) are a class of comestibles, usually carbohydrates, that have a specific effect on the gastrointestinal (GI) microbiome. To be classified as a prebiotic, the compound must not be absorbed in the GI tract and should instead be [fermented](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30857316/) by GI microbes. Prebiotics essentially stimulate the activity of the targeted [intestinal microbe](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30857316/) to help improve human health. Examples of prebiotics include fructans, such as inulin, fructooligosaccharides, and [galactooligosaccharides](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30857316/) (GOS). These GOS have been shown in studies to stimulate several genera of [beneficial microorganisms](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30857316/), including *Bacteroidetes*, *Firmicutes, Enterobacteria*, and in particular, *Lactobacilli* and *Bifidobacteria*. A randomized controlled trial by [Schoemaker and colleagues](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35057489/) explored the efficacy of supplementation with probiotics in individuals with constipation. Adults between the ages of 18 and 59 were randomized to either a control group or a treatment group receiving GOS. Study results indicate that supplementation with 11 g of GOS daily for 3 weeks increased [stool frequency](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35057489/) in individuals with three or fewer bowel movements per week as compared to baseline. Improvements in stool frequency were also observed in the [subgroup](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35057489/) of adults between 35 and 59 years of age in the presence of supplementation with GOS. The taxonomy of the gut microbiome was also analyzed in this study by [Schoemaker and colleagues](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35057489/). Changes in the abundance of *Bifidobacterium*, a [probiotic microorganism](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35057489/), have been observed in the presence of constipation. In this randomized controlled trial, *[Bifidobacterium](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35057489/)* was shown to have a dose-dependent response to GOS. Supplementation with 11 g of GOS was shown to significantly increase *[Anaerostipes hadrus](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35057489/)*, a species in the microbiome known to produce [butyrate](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35057489/), a short-chain fatty acid (SCFA). These SCFAs have many health-promoting roles in the human body; they have been shown to support GI and immune health. Butyrate may help support intestinal [epithelial health](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30857316/). However, when they were measured at baseline and study terminus, no changes to the abundance of [SCFA](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35057489/)s were reported in this study. The authors report [study limitations](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35057489/) that included gender homogeneity and errors in the self-reported quality of constipation. [Response rate](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35057489/), relative sample size, and age variations were reported as strengths.  Prebiotics are compounds with the potential to support a healthy GI microbiome, GI function, and overall health. They may also support the body’s response to GI conditions, such as occasional constipation. On this page Share [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.casi.org%2Farticles%2Frandomized-control-trial-explores-efficacy-of-prebiotics-for-adults-with-occasional-constipation) [X](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.casi.org%2Farticles%2Frandomized-control-trial-explores-efficacy-of-prebiotics-for-adults-with-occasional-constipation&text=Randomized+Control+Trial+Explores+Efficacy+of+Prebiotics+for+Adults+With+Occasional+Constipation) [Email](mailto:?subject=Randomized%20Control%20Trial%20Explores%20Efficacy%20of%20Prebiotics%20for%20Adults%20With%20Occasional%20Constipation&body=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.casi.org%2Farticles%2Frandomized-control-trial-explores-efficacy-of-prebiotics-for-adults-with-occasional-constipation) CA ### Cory Ambrose, ND, MAT Clinical Application ## Clinical Considerations in Practice In clinical practice, practitioners considering the topics discussed above may also weigh nutrient form, delivery and formulation, alongside individual patient variability. ### Practitioner Formulation Example ![EssentiaGreens and Reds™](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/lemtscrs/production-www/5bacf2cdf1813031442532347bac129a36029416-2000x2000.png?w=128&h=128&fit=max&auto=format) EssentiaGreens and Reds™ Greens, vegetables, and fruit blend · Packets [Explore Formulations →](https://www.designsforhealth.com/products/essentiagreens-and-reds-packets) ## Continue your research #### [Research & Education How Akkermansia Supports GLP-1 Production and Metabolic Function May 27, 2026](https://www.casi.org/articles/akkermansia-supports-glp-1-production-metabolic-function) #### [Research & Education Magnesium Glycinate Chelate Buffered: A Smart Approach to Magnesium Supplementation May 21, 2026](https://www.casi.org/articles/magnesium-glycinate-chelate-buffered-a-smart-approach-to-magnesium-supplementation) #### [Research & Education Overcoming the Anaerobic Barrier: A New Approach to Probiotic Manufacturing May 12, 2026](https://www.casi.org/articles/overcoming-the-anaerobic-barrier-a-new-approach-to-probiotic-manufacturing) #### [Science Update A Case Report on a Functional GI Testing Protocol in a 35-Year-Old Female with Gastrointestinal and Joint Discomfort May 07, 2026](https://www.casi.org/articles/a-case-report-on-a-functional-gi-testing-protocol-in-a-35-year-old-female-with-gastrointestinal-and-joint-discomfort) ![casilogoresize2-2](https://www.casi.org/hubfs/casilogoresize2-2.png) An educational publication of [**Designs for Health**](https://www.designsforhealth.com). 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