A clinical trial has investigated the effects of the multi-strain liquid probiotic Symprove in people with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), assessing its effects on quality of life, disease activity and markers of intestinal inflammation in patients with ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease, adding to interest in the role of the gut microbiome in inflammatory bowel disease.
The study builds on previous clinical research led by Professor Ingvar Bjarnason, which demonstrated that Symprove was more effective than placebo in reducing symptoms in people with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and symptomatic uncomplicated diverticular disease. The researchers therefore wanted to investigate whether Symprove could also have a role in inflammatory bowel disease.
Published in Inflammopharmacology, the randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial investigated the effects of Symprove, the multi-strain live and active bacteria supplement, in patients with ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease who received either Symprove or placebo alongside their usual treatment.
While the study didn’t achieve its primary endpoint of quality of life, promising results were shown in reducing intestinal inflammation, a key therapeutic target in IBD. In patients with ulcerative colitis, Symprove was associated with a significant reduction in faecal calprotectin (a key biomarker of intestinal inflammation) compared with placebo.
The study also included a smaller group of patients with Crohn's disease. Although this arm of the study was not powered to detect a statistically significant difference between the treatment groups, faecal calprotectin levels decreased in patients receiving Symprove while increasing in those receiving placebo. Although the difference was not statistically significant, the findings suggest a positive trend that warrants further investigation.
Professor Ingvar Bjarnason, Professor of Gastroenterology at King's College Hospital, London, said: "Managing intestinal inflammation remains an important part of treating inflammatory bowel disease, and faecal calprotectin is a valuable marker of that inflammation. While this study was relatively small, particularly in the Crohn's disease arm, the findings are encouraging and support further investigation into the potential role of Symprove alongside existing treatments."
The authors conclude that further studies are needed to better understand the potential role of Symprove as an adjunct to conventional treatment in inflammatory bowel disease.
The full published paper is available in Inflammopharmacology. (Bjarnason I, Sisson G & Hayee B. Inflammopharmacology 2019;27(3):465-473).
About Symprove:
Symprove is the UK's No.1 live and active bacteria supplement*.
Founded in 1986, Symprove has spent decades investing in independent scientific research to help build a better understanding of the gut microbiome and the role it plays in overall health.
Unlike many supplements, Symprove's unique water-based formula is designed to deliver live and active bacteria to the gut, where they can have the greatest impact. It contains four strains of live and active bacteria, is suitable for everyday use and is free from dairy, gluten and artificial additives.
Today, Symprove is available on subscription from symprove.com and at leading UK retailers including Tesco, Boots, Sainsbury's, Waitrose, Superdrug, and Holland & Barrett.
For more information, visit www.symprove.com.
For samples or more information, please get in touch with press@symprove.com or call 01252 413 600.
* Source Euromonitor International Ltd; Consumer Health 2026ed., Symprove retail value sales, UK 2025 data
