{
  "abstract": "Background: Gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms such as indigestion, bloating and reflux are common and can negatively affect quality of life. Bovine colostrum is a rich source of nutrients and other bioactive constituents that has been shown to be beneficial for gut health. Methods: This 12-week, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, 3-arm study aimed to evaluate the effects of MaolactinGI™, a proprietary bovine colostrum supplement, on upper GI symptoms and gut microbiome composition in healthy adults aged 18 years and older experiencing moderate GI discomfort. Participants completed a 4-week run-in period followed by an 8-week intervention period. Outcomes measured included changes in upper GI symptoms via the Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Scale (GSRS), Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease Questionnaire (GerdQ), Bloating Symptoms Visual Analogue Scale (BSVAS), Digestion-associated Quality of Life Questionnaire (DQLQ), Bristol Stool Chart, intestinal permeability, faecal calprotectin, serum inflammatory markers, gut microbiome analyses, blood safety markers and adverse events. Results: Ninety eligible participants were allocated to either the high-dose (500 mg/day), low-dose (250 mg/day), or placebo groups, and data from 83 participants were analysed. The high-dose MaolactinGI™ group demonstrated statistically significant improvements in the total GSRS score and DQLQ score compared with placebo, suggesting a meaningful reduction in total symptom burden and improved quality of life. The improvements in GSRS were clinically meaningful in size, supporting the practical relevance of MaolactinGI™ for adults experiencing everyday upper GI discomfort. High-dose supplementation also preserved microbial richness relative to placebo (Chao1); exploratory within-group analyses further indicated enrichment of SCFA-associated commensal taxa. The intervention was well tolerated and demonstrated an acceptable safety profile. Conclusions: These findings support the potential of targeted colostrum-derived bioactive protein fractions as a novel nutritional strategy for supporting GI health and microbiome balance.",
  "abstract_shown": true,
  "affiliations": [
    "RDC Clinical, Brisbane 4006, Australia",
    "Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Tel Aviv 6997801, Israel",
    "Shamir Medical Center, Zerifin 7033001, Israel",
    "School of Health, Medical and Applied Sciences, Central Queensland University, Rockhampton 4702, Australia"
  ],
  "article_type": null,
  "arxiv": null,
  "author_total": 5,
  "authors": [
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "Amanda Rao",
      "orcid": "0000-0003-0090-9217"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        1,
        2
      ],
      "name": "Tzippora Shalem"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        3
      ],
      "name": "Romeo Batacan"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        3
      ],
      "name": "Yadav Sharma Bajagai",
      "orcid": "0000-0002-3043-071X"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "David Briskey",
      "orcid": "0000-0001-9867-6700"
    }
  ],
  "bibtex": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/4f3exhd3tfq88.bib",
  "cited_by": 0,
  "doi": "10.3390/nu18213561",
  "fulltext_url": null,
  "id": "4f3exhd3tfq88",
  "issns": [
    "2072-6643"
  ],
  "landing_url": "https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/18/21/3561",
  "language": null,
  "licence": "CC-BY-4.0",
  "licence_label": "CC BY 4.0",
  "licence_source": "article",
  "licence_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/",
  "metadata_licence": null,
  "native_subjects": [
    [
      "openalex",
      "2715|Gastrointestinal motility and disorders"
    ]
  ],
  "openalex": "W7224101224",
  "pdf_url": null,
  "pmcid": null,
  "pmid": null,
  "published": "2026-10-28",
  "publisher": "MDPI AG",
  "ris": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/4f3exhd3tfq88.ris",
  "sources": [
    {
      "first_seen": "2026-10-30T12:19:56Z",
      "native_id": "10.3390/nu18213561",
      "source": "crossref",
      "url": "https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/18/21/3561"
    }
  ],
  "subjects": [
    {
      "field": "medicine",
      "origin": "issn:2072-6643",
      "subfield": "nutrition"
    }
  ],
  "title": "Targeted Colostrum Bioactive Proteins Improve Gastrointestinal Symptoms and Modulate the Gut Microbiome: A Randomised Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Trial",
  "title_text": "Targeted Colostrum Bioactive Proteins Improve Gastrointestinal Symptoms and Modulate the Gut Microbiome: A Randomised Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Trial",
  "type": "peer-reviewed",
  "updated_at": "2026-10-30T12:19:56Z",
  "url": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/4f3exhd3tfq88",
  "venue": "Nutrients",
  "versions": []
}