@article{Niittynen_Kajander_Korpela_2017, title={Galacto-oligosaccharides and bowel function}, volume={51}, url={https://foodandnutritionresearch.net/index.php/fnr/article/view/1095}, DOI={10.3402/fnr.v51i2.1612}, abstractNote={<p>Constipation is a common problem and its prevalence increases with age. Severe constipation requires<br>treatment with laxatives, but nutritional therapy, especially increased dietary fibre intake, is recommended<br>primarily for the prevention and treatment of mild constipation. One alternative may be the use of<br>oligosaccharides, which act as soluble fibre and have a bifidogenic effect. Galacto-oligosaccharides (GOS)<br>resembling oligosaccharides occurring naturally in human milk can be produced from lactose. Several clinical<br>studies reviewed in this paper have shown that the use of GOS (5-15 g per day) may relieve the symptoms of<br>constipation in adults and elderly people. In infants, the supplementation of formula with a mixture of GOS<br>and fructo-oligosaccharides can modulate bowel function and stool characters in the same direction as does<br>breast-feeding. Gastrointestinal symptoms may occur as side-effects of oligosaccharides, but 12 g GOS per<br>day or less is usually well tolerated.</p&gt;}, number={2}, journal={Food & Nutrition Research}, author={Niittynen Leena and Kajander Kajsa and Korpela Riitta}, year={2017}, month={Dec.}, pages={62-66} }