The Effects of Probiotic and HMB Supplementation on Immune and Digestive Function in Special Operations Soldiers

The Effects of 8-weeks of Probiotic and HMB Supplementation on Immune and Digestive Function in Special Operations Soldiers

Status

Completed

Phases

Study type

Interventional

Source

ClinicalTrials.gov

Registry ID

NCT02762968

Enrollment

Registered

2016-05-05

Start date

2016-04-30

Completion date

2016-08-31

Last updated

2017-01-30

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Military Training

Brief summary

The study will determine whether acute ingestion of a probiotic combined with beta-hydroxy-beta-methylbutyrate (HMB) can enhance immune and digestive function in soldiers during 8-weeks of advanced infantry training.

Detailed description

Up to sixty soldiers from an elite infantry unit will perform a parallel design investigation. Soldiers will be randomly assigned to one of four groups. Group 1 will consume the probiotic plus HMB, group 2 will consume HMB only, group 3 will consume only the probiotic, and group 4 will consume only placebo. All four groups will be garrisoned together, eat the same meals, and perform the same activity. All groups will be tested before as well as after an 8-week advanced infantry training program. During each testing session resting blood samples will be obtained to assess cytokine, inflammatory, and muscle damage markers. Additionally, questionnaires will be used to determine digestive health. Anthropometric, performance, and muscle volume measures will also be assessed prior to and immediately following the supplementation and training protocol.

Interventions

DIETARY_SUPPLEMENTPlacebo

Placebo capsules similar to the experimental treatments.

DIETARY_SUPPLEMENTHMB

Capsules containing calcium HMB.

DIETARY_SUPPLEMENTBC30

Bacillus Coagulans GBI-30, 6086 (BC30) mixed in water.

Study design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Intervention model

PARALLEL

Primary purpose

BASIC_SCIENCE

Masking

TRIPLE (Subject, Caregiver, Investigator)

Eligibility

Sex/Gender

ALL

Age

18 Years to 30 Years

Healthy volunteers

Yes

Inclusion criteria

* 18 years of age * Member of the same unit of the IDF

Exclusion criteria

* Current use of dietary supplements * Current chronic use of medications

Design outcomes

Primary

Measure	Time frame	Description
Maintenance of Immune function	8 weeks	Immune function assessed by blood biochemical analysis (ELISA).

Secondary

Measure	Time frame	Description
Maintenance of Digestive Function	8 Weeks	Digestive function assessed by questionnaire.
Maintenance of Muscle Volume	8 Weeks	Muscle volume will be assessed using a 3.0 Tesla whole-body imager (cubic centimeter)

Countries

Israel

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026