Effects of a Mushroom Blend on Gastrointestinal Symptoms and the Microbiome

Launched by UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA · Jun 16, 2025

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is studying whether a special blend of mushrooms can help improve common stomach and digestion issues, like bloating, gas, and irregular bowel movements, as well as mood. The researchers also want to see if this mushroom blend affects the types of bacteria living in the gut, which can play an important role in overall health. This study is currently looking for healthy adults between the ages of 30 and 60 who occasionally experience mild stomach discomfort after eating or drinking but do not have any diagnosed digestive diseases.

If you join the study, you will need to agree to avoid starting any new vitamins or supplements during the trial and provide stool samples to help the researchers analyze the gut bacteria. The study will involve regular visits and following the instructions given by the study team. People who have serious health conditions, are on certain medications, or have recently used antibiotics or probiotics may not be eligible. Overall, this study offers a chance to learn more about how natural mushroom products might support digestive comfort and mood in generally healthy adults.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Healthy males and females aged 30 to 60 years of age (inclusive).
• • Subject has provided written and dated informed consent.
• • Individual indicates they experience occasional GI discomfort, and have never been diagnosed with any gastrointestinal disorder, yet have occasional complaints of bowel irregularity, bloating or discomfort (after meals or beverages).
• • Subject may express that they experience occasional after-snack or a meal, intestinal gas-related symptoms including abdominal discomfort, cramps, distended feeling/bloating, and or flatulence as part of the study entry criteria.
• • Occasional GI distress will be defined as \< 3 times per week over the prior 6 weeks, with each episode resolving within 24 hours and not requiring medical intervention.
• • Body Mass Index (BMI) 19 to 34.9 kg/m2 (normal weight to class I obesity)
• • Subject is a non-smoker.
• • Subject agrees to not use any new vitamin, mineral, or other dietary supplement product until after study completion.
• • Subject agrees to provide a stool sample for microbiota analysis per the study protocol.
• • Subject is willing and able to comply with the protocol and the scheduled study visits.
• • Subject will be asked about dietary supplementation use within the past 6 months.
• • If subject began taking a supplement within the past month, participant will be asked to discontinue supplement use followed by a 2-week washout prior to participation.
• • In all other cases, supplement use will be asked to be maintained throughout the study.
• Exclusion Criteria:
• * Subject has any of the following medical conditions:
• • Gastrointestinal disease or any GI diagnosed disorder (i.e., dyspepsia, functional dyspepsia, gastrointestinal reflux, etc.)
• • active heart disease
• • uncontrolled high blood pressure (≥ 140/90 mmHg)
• • renal or hepatic impairment/disease
• • Type I or II diabetes
• • bipolar disorder
• • Parkinson's disease
• • unstable thyroid disease
• • immune disorder (such as HIV/AIDS)
• • Any medical condition deemed exclusionary by the Principal Investigator (PI)
• • Subject has a history of cancer (except localized skin cancer without metastases) within 5 years prior to screening.
• • Subject is currently taking any blood thinners.
• • Subject has a medical condition that is known to impact the gastrointestinal system and functions.
• • Subject is currently taking or has within the prior 120 days any prescription antibiotics, or supplemental probiotic or prebiotics (30-day washout is acceptable).
• • Subject is currently taking supplemental (OTC medicine or dietary supplements) of any laxative or bowel function stimulant \[i.e., Ri-Mucil, Metamucil (psyllium), Colace, Milk of Magnesia, MiraLAX, FiberCon (polycarophil), DulcoLax, etc.\]
• • Subject is on an unstable dose of medication (defined as fewer than 90 days at the same dose).
• • Subject is taking a prescription medication deemed exclusionary by the Principal Investigator (PI).
• • Subject has an allergy to any ingredients in the Study Product.
• • Subject has a history of drug or alcohol abuse in the past 12 months.
• • Subject has a history of a psychiatric illness or mental health disorder (including for drug or alcohol treatment) that required hospitalization in the prior 12 months.
• • Subject has any condition or health history abnormality that in the expert opinion of the PI, participation in the study would compromise the safety of the subject or the quality of the study data.
• • The subject is participating in or has participated in another clinical research study within 30 days prior to the Screening visit.
• • Subject is consuming any of the study products already.
• • Subject is diagnosed with a stress-disorder.