Effect of Ma'aljobon (Whey) Consumption on Functional Constipation in Older Adults: A Randomized Double-Blind...

Constipation is one of the most common gastrointestinal disorders worldwide, and its prevalence increases with age. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of Ma'aljobon (a type of whey) on functional constipation (FC) in older adults.

This study was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group, phase III trial. A total of 100 older adults (aged 60-90 years; 73.4% female) with FC, diagnosed according to the Rome III criteria, were recruited from a healthcare center for a trial conducted at a traditional medicine clinic in Sabzevar, Iran, using a convenience sampling method. Participants were randomly assigned to receive either 15 g of Ma'aljobon powder (n = 50) or a matching placebo (n = 50) daily for 4 weeks. The primary outcome was the change in stool consistency, assessed with the Bristol Stool Form Scale. The trial was registered with the Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials (No. IRCT20180624040216N1).

At baseline, there were no significant differences between the groups (all p > 0.05). After 4 weeks, the Ma'aljobon group showed statistically significant improvements in all secondary FC parameters compared to the placebo group (all p < 0.001). For the primary outcome of stool consistency, the odds of having a normal versus hard stool were significantly higher in the Ma'aljobon group than in the placebo group (odds ratio = 39.1, 95% CI [2.3, 670.3]; p < 0.001).

The results of this trial indicate that Ma'aljobon has a significant impact on alleviating the symptoms of FC in older adults and is a well-tolerated intervention.