NXT USA, a nutraceutical ingredients developer, has published a novel human clinical trial showcasing the benefits of its proprietary ingredient, Digexin, for digestive health and mood support.
The study
The trial is available in the Journal of the American Nutrition Association under the title: “A novel herbal composition alleviates functional constipation, reduces gastrointestinal transit time and improves bowel function in adults: A double-blind, randomised clinical study,”
It aimed to reevaluate the effectiveness and tolerability of Digexin, a blend of Withania somnifera root (Ashwagandha) and Abelmoschus esculentus (Okra) fruit extracts. Engaging 135 participants aged 25 to 60 over 60 days, the study distributed doses of 300 mg and 500 mg of Digexin, and compared them against placebo.
Assessments were made using various scales including PAC-SYM, PAC-QOL, GSRS scores, gastrointestinal transit time and complete spontaneous bowel movement scores, along with a comprehensive analysis of serum biomarkers.
The results
Results revealed substantial improvements in constipation symptoms, quality of life, bowel function and mental health from day 7.1
The study authors explain: “Constipation, a prevalent gastrointestinal dysfunction, not only restricts social activities but also impairs both mental and physical health. Our latest research confirms that Digexin stands out as a safe and effective supplement. It significantly enhances gut health by improving gastrointestinal transit times, as demonstrated by the ‘blue poo’ test, which tracks digestion and bowel movement speeds.”
The ‘blue poo’ test directly measures the effects of Digexin on transit times, revealing in this particular study that participants in the Digexin group experienced nearly four hours faster transit than those in the placebo group.
“We saw some pretty impressive improvements across the board. People reported feeling better in terms of their digestive symptoms, overall quality of life and frequently saw faster digestive transit times. Plus, they were going to the bathroom more regularly; though it wasn’t just about digestion. Sleep got better, and feelings of depression and anxiety were reduced. Blood tests also showed significant positive changes, validating that what people were reporting was supported by biomarker evidence,” said Eric Anderson, Managing Director, NXT USA.
Reference
1 Singh, G., Dixit, I., Kalman, D., & Gogineni, N. T. (2024). A Novel Herbal Composition Alleviates Functional
Constipation, Reduces Gastrointestinal Transit Time, and Improves Bowel Function in Adults: A Double-Blind,
Randomized Clinical Study. Journal of the American Nutrition Association, 1–14.
https://doi.org/10.1080/27697061.2024.2346073