Single Strain

Paraghurt

JUMP TO:
01
Summary

A randomized, placebo-controlled trial investigated the effects of a freeze-dried Streptococcus faecium culture, delivered as the probiotic Paraghurt, in adults with IBS over a 4-week period. Participants took four tablets of Paraghurt twice daily, although the exact CFU dosage wasn’t specified. The study was limited by a small sample size and lacked statistical analysis comparing results across groups for several key parameters.

Our independent analysis found moderate beneficial effects for trapped gas (meteorism), categorized under distention/bloating, overall clinical assessment of global IBS symptoms, and abdominal pain. While small beneficial effects were observed for constipation and diarrhea (effect sizes ≤ 0.5), these findings weren’t statistically significant.

Key Takeaways:
This study points to potential benefits of freeze-dried Streptococcus faecium cultures, such as those found in Paraghurt, for bloating/distention, overall IBS symptoms, and abdominal pain in adults with IBS. However, due to the small sample size and unclear dosing, further research is needed to confidently recommend this probiotic for IBS management.

Dosing: 

Most Effective Dose Unclear – CFU not reported; 4 tablets 
Form Tablets
Suggested Minimum 

Trial Duration

 4 weeks

 

Reference:

Gade J, Thorn P. Paraghurt for patients with irritable bowel syndrome. A controlled clinical investigation from general practice. Scand J Prim Health Care 1989 Mar;7(1):23-6.

Read More…

A randomized, placebo-controlled trial investigated the effects of a freeze-dried Streptococcus faecium culture, delivered as the probiotic Paraghurt, in adults with IBS over a 4-week period. Participants took four tablets of Paraghurt twice daily, although the exact CFU dosage wasn’t specified. The study was limited by a small sample size and lacked statistical analysis comparing results across groups for several key parameters.

Our independent analysis found moderate beneficial effects for trapped gas (meteorism), categorized under distention/bloating, overall clinical assessment of global IBS symptoms, and abdominal pain. While small beneficial effects were observed for constipation and diarrhea (effect sizes ≤ 0.5), these findings weren’t statistically significant.

Key Takeaways:
This study points to potential benefits of freeze-dried Streptococcus faecium cultures, such as those found in Paraghurt, for bloating/distention, overall IBS symptoms, and abdominal pain in adults with IBS. However, due to the small sample size and unclear dosing, further research is needed to confidently recommend this probiotic for IBS management.

Dosing: 

Most Effective Dose Unclear – CFU not reported; 4 tablets 
Form Tablets
Suggested Minimum 

Trial Duration

 4 weeks

 

Reference:

Gade J, Thorn P. Paraghurt for patients with irritable bowel syndrome. A controlled clinical investigation from general practice. Scand J Prim Health Care 1989 Mar;7(1):23-6.

Read More…
Find a probiotic with Paraghurt

There is insufficient evidence demonstrating benefits for IBS with this probiotic. Therefore, we do not provide guidance on finding a commercial product containing this strain/blend.

A randomized, placebo-controlled trial investigated the effects of a freeze-dried Streptococcus faecium culture, delivered as the probiotic Paraghurt, in adults with IBS over a 4-week period. Participants took four tablets of Paraghurt twice daily, although the exact CFU dosage wasn’t specified. The study was limited by a small sample size and lacked statistical analysis comparing results across groups for several key parameters.

Our independent analysis found moderate beneficial effects for trapped gas (meteorism), categorized under distention/bloating, overall clinical assessment of global IBS symptoms, and abdominal pain. While small beneficial effects were observed for constipation and diarrhea (effect sizes ≤ 0.5), these findings weren’t statistically significant.

Key Takeaways:
This study points to potential benefits of freeze-dried Streptococcus faecium cultures, such as those found in Paraghurt, for bloating/distention, overall IBS symptoms, and abdominal pain in adults with IBS. However, due to the small sample size and unclear dosing, further research is needed to confidently recommend this probiotic for IBS management.

Dosing: 

Most Effective Dose Unclear – CFU not reported; 4 tablets 
Form Tablets
Suggested Minimum 

Trial Duration

 4 weeks

 

Reference:

Gade J, Thorn P. Paraghurt for patients with irritable bowel syndrome. A controlled clinical investigation from general practice. Scand J Prim Health Care 1989 Mar;7(1):23-6.

02
Results
Overall evidence quality grade
76%

This probiotic has higher quality studies in IBS populations supporting it. View our evidence evaluation framework to learn how we assess the quality of studies.

Refine by Probiotic(s) In this view, show results

Close
  • Where trash
    trash

Add condition

03
Patient Handout
Share
04
Clinical Studies
  • #
  • Study
  • Year
  • Author(s)
  • Journal
  • Reference
  • Daily Dose
  • Duration of Intervention
  • Form
  • Study Design
  • Age
  • Participants
    • Study #1

    • Paraghurt for patients with irritable bowel syndrome. A controlled clinical investigation from general practice

    • 1989
    • Gade J, Thorn P.

    • Scand J Prim Health Care 1989 Mar;7(1):23-6

    • DOI: 10.3109/02813438909103666
    • Not reported
    • 4 weeks
    • Tablet
      • RANDOMIZED
      • DOUBLE-BLIND
      • PLACEBO-CONTROLLED

    • ADULTS

    • ITT,PP (total) n= 54,nr
      ITT,PP (probiotic) n= 32,nr
      ITT,PP (placebo) n=22,nr
05
Findings from studies

#

  • Diarrhea
  • Constipation
  • Bowel Habits
  • Global IBS Symptoms
  • Abdominal Pain / Discomfort
  • Bloating / Distention
  • Gas / Flatulence
  • Nausea / Vomiting
  • Mental Health
  • Quality of Life
  • Miscellaneous Symptoms
  • Notes

  • Study #1

    • Diarrhea

      • At baseline, 50% of participants in the probiotic group experienced diarrhea and loose stools. After 4 weeks, this reduced to 22%. In the placebo group, the incidence decreased from 55% to 36% over the same period. No between-group statistical analysis was performed.

      • We independently conducted a between-group statistical analysis, finding an effect size of 0.21 for this parameter, but the results were not statistically significant.

    • Constipation

      • At baseline, 47% of participants in the probiotic group experienced constipation and hard stools. After 4 weeks, this reduced to 28%. In the placebo group, the incidence decreased from 36% to 32% over the same period. No between-group statistical analysis was conducted by the study authors.

      • We independently conducted a between-group statistical analysis, finding an effect size of 0.50 for this parameter, but the results were not statistically significant.

    • Bowel Habits

      • No data

    • Global IBS Symptoms

      • Following 4 weeks of treatment, the “physicians’ overall assessment of the clinical effect” indicated that 81% of individuals in the probiotic group experienced either “significant improvement” or “improvement.” This change was statistically significant compared to placebo.

      • In our independent analysis, we calculated an effect size of 0.85, categorized as a moderate degree of effect.

    • Abdominal Pain / Discomfort

      • No data

    • Bloating / Distention

      • At baseline, 100% of participants in the probiotic group experienced meteorism, which reduced to 66% after 4 weeks. In the placebo group, the incidence decreased from 86% to 82% over the same period. No between-group statistical analysis was conducted.

      • We independently calculated an effect size of 0.84 for this parameter, indicating a moderate effect (p = 0.008).

    • Gas / Flatulence

      • Initially, 91% of participants in the probiotic group experienced flatulence, which decreased to 81% after 4 weeks. In the placebo group, the incidence decreased from 91% to 77% over the same period. No between-group statistical analysis was conducted.

      • Our independent statistical analysis did not find this effect to be statistically significant.

    • Nausea / Vomiting

      • No data

    • Mental Health

      • No data

    • Quality of Life

      • No data

    • Miscellaneous Symptoms

      • Initially, 94% of participants in the probiotic group experienced borborygmus, which decreased to 56% after 4 weeks. In contrast, the placebo group saw a decrease from 95% to 68% over the same period. No between-group statistical analysis was conducted.

      • Our independent statistical analysis found this effect to be non-significant.

    • Notes

      • The study was underpowered, with significant differences between groups at baseline. Moreover, one group was notably larger, although the authors reported preparing the same number of tablets for both groups.

      • One assessment was done by the doctors who were blinded, while the others were completed by participants, for which is it unknown whether they became aware if they were receiving the treatment or the placebo.