Influence of Probiotic Supplements on Nutrient Absorption and Immune Function in Individuals With Digestive Disorders

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Published: 2026-05-04
DOI: https://doi.org/10.61919/c16bgm08
Keywords:
Probiotics; nutrient absorption; immune function; irritable bowel syndrome; Crohn’s disease; inflammation; gut microbiota; Pakistan

Main Article Content

Dr. Shiza Akhtar
MBBS, Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto Medical University, Islamabad, Pakistan, https://orcid.org/0009-0009-4324-8624
Dr. Saira Anwar
MBBS, Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto Medical University, Islamabad, Pakistan
Dr. Sakina Khoso
MBBS, Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto Medical University, Larkana, Pakistan
Dr. Areej Ishtiaq
MBBS, Fazaia Medical College, Islamabad, Pakistan
Mohammad Asad Shaheen Baloch
MBBS, Resident Internal Medicine, Sheikh Sultan Bin Zayed Hospital, Sharjah
Umar Khayyam
Doctor of Pharmacy, University of Peshawar, Peshawar, Pakistan, https://orcid.org/0009-0008-1112-5550
Salina Azam
PharmD Final Year, University of Peshawar, Peshawar, Pakistan

Abstract

Background: Chronic digestive disorders such as irritable bowel syndrome and Crohn’s disease are frequently associated with dysbiosis, impaired nutrient status, persistent gastrointestinal symptoms, and inflammatory activation. Probiotics may improve intestinal barrier function, microbial balance, nutrient bioavailability, and immune regulation, but local clinical evidence from Pakistan remains limited. Objective: To evaluate the effect of 8-week probiotic supplementation on nutrient-related biochemical markers, inflammatory indices, and digestive symptom improvement among adults with IBS or Crohn’s disease. Methods: This controlled open-label clinical trial included 120 adults recruited from tertiary care hospitals in Islamabad, Pakistan. Participants were allocated to a probiotic group (n=60), receiving multi-strain probiotic supplementation plus standard care, or a control group (n=60), receiving standard care alone. Hemoglobin, vitamin B12, vitamin D, albumin, CRP, ESR, and digestive symptoms were assessed at baseline and week 8. Results: Compared with controls, the probiotic group showed greater improvements in hemoglobin (+0.9 vs +0.3 g/dL), vitamin B12 (+53.2 vs +11.3 pg/mL), vitamin D (+6.4 vs +1.5 ng/mL), albumin (+0.4 vs +0.1 g/dL), CRP (−5.7 vs −1.8 mg/L), and ESR (−8.3 vs −2.3 mm/hr). Moderate-to-marked symptom improvement was higher in the probiotic group than in controls (68.3% vs 31.7%). Conclusion: Probiotic supplementation may provide clinically useful adjunctive benefits for nutritional recovery, inflammatory reduction, and symptom relief in IBS and Crohn’s disease, although larger randomized blinded trials are required

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Vol. 4 No. 9 (2026): Volume 4, Issue 9 (May 2026)

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How to Cite

1.
Dr. Shiza Akhtar, Dr. Saira Anwar, Dr. Sakina Khoso, Dr. Areej Ishtiaq, Mohammad Asad Shaheen Baloch, Umar Khayyam, et al. Influence of Probiotic Supplements on Nutrient Absorption and Immune Function in Individuals With Digestive Disorders. JHWCR [Internet]. 2026 May 4 [cited 2026 May 5];4(9):1-10. Available from: https://jhwcr.com/index.php/jhwcr/article/view/1514

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