Methods For The Dietary Management Of Irritable Bowel Syndrome And Carbohydrate Malabsorption

Abstract

The invention relates generally to digestive disorders, and in particular to methods for treating irritable bowel syndrome by increasing carbohydrate absorption by administering a composition containing a Bacillus coagulans bacterium.

1 .- 76 . (canceled) 
     
     
         77 . A method for increasing carbohydrate absorption in a mammal, comprising the steps of:
 identifying a mammal having a symptom of carbohydrate malabsorption, and   orally administering to said mammal a composition comprising an effective amount of viable  Bacillus coagulans  bacteria,   wherein carbohydrate absorption is increased following said administration.   
     
     
         78 . The method of  claim 77 , further comprising an effective amount of supplementary lactase to increase lactose digestion in said mammal. 
     
     
         79 . The method of  claim 77 , further comprising an effective amount of supplementary fructase, an enzyme that catalyzes the hydrolysis of fructose, to increase fructose digestion in said mammal. 
     
     
         80 . The method of  claim 77 , wherein said symptom of carbohydrate malabsorption is selected from the group consisting of lactose intolerance, fructose intolerance, glucose-galactose intolerance, and sorbitol intolerance. 
     
     
         81 . The method of  claim 77 , wherein said mammal is human. 
     
     
         82 . The method of  claim 78 , wherein said effective amount of supplementary lactase is from about 1000 IU to about 12,000 IU. 
     
     
         83 . The method of  claim 79 , wherein said effective amount of supplementary fructase is from about 1000 IU to about 12,000 IU. 
     
     
         84 . The method of  claim 77 , wherein said composition further comprises one or more components selected from the group consisting of an anti-diarrheal agent, an anti-gas agent, a laxative, a vitamin, a mineral, an isolated amino acid, a source of dietary fiber, and an antibiotic. 
     
     
         85 . The method of  claim 77 , wherein said composition is in the form of a capsule, a tablet, a powder, a liquid, or a food product. 
     
     
         86 . The method of  claim 77 , wherein said composition is administered once per day. 
     
     
         87 . The method of  claim 77 , wherein said  Bacillus coagulans  bacteria comprise  Bacillus coagulans  hammer strain Accession No. ATCC 31284, or strains derived from  Bacillus coagulans  hammer strain Accession No. ATCC 31284. 
     
     
         88 . The method of  claim 77 , wherein said  Bacillus coagulans  bacteria is purified. 
     
     
         89 . The method of  claim 77 , wherein said composition comprises  Bacillus coagulans  bacteria at a concentration of from about 1×10 4  to about 1×10 12  viable bacteria. 
     
     
         90 . The method of  claim 88 , wherein said composition does not contain  Lactobacillus acidophilus  bacteria. 
     
     
         91 . The method of  claim 78 , wherein the mammal is diagnosed as suffering from or being at risk of developing celiac disease. 
     
     
         92 . The method of  claim 77 , further comprising an effective amount of supplementary lactase to increase lactose digestion in said mammal and an effective amount of supplementary fructose, an enzyme that catalyzes the hydrolysis of fructose, to increase fructose digestion in said mammal. 
     
     
         93 . The method of  claim 77 , wherein the  Bacillus coagulans  bacteria is present as at least 80% spores.