ERME in IBS
Research type
Research Study
Full title
EFFECT OF ENZYME RICH MALT EXTRACT IN TREATMENT OF IRRITABLE BOWEL SYNDROME (IBS)
IRAS ID
230959
Contact name
Simon Smale
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
York Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 11 months, 31 days
Research summary
Irritable bowel syndrome is a common condition, which causes symptoms of abdominal pain, bloating and altered bowel habit. Conventional treatment is frequently unsatisfactory.
The cause of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is unknown, but it has been suggested that many of the symptoms result from undigested carbohydrates reaching the large bowel (colon). When this happens the gut bacteria living in the large bowel can ferment undigested food producing chemicals that cause disease. These chemicals can be detected in both blood and urine. It has been shown that reducing the number of certain carbohydrates within the diet can improve the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) for some patients.
We wish to explore whether giving a food supplement called enzyme rich malt extract (ERME) that contains a high concentration of enzymes that digest carbohydrates will improve symptoms of IBS. ERME is a by-product of the malting process, in which cereal grains (like barley) are dried, commonly for making beer. It is sweet, palatable and easily available at relatively low cost and has been used as a food stuff in baking and cookery for many years.
REC name
North of Scotland Research Ethics Committee 2
REC reference
17/NS/0079
Date of REC Opinion
17 Aug 2017
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion