We conducted a fully decentralized clinical trial to explore the effects of vitamin C on constipation symptoms. Participants who experienced functional constipation were randomly assigned to receive either Lactobacillus with vitamin C or vitamin C alone over a two-week treatment period. The study allowed us to gather data remotely, which is quite innovative and accessible.
Looking specifically at the results from the group that received vitamin C, we observed that while there was an increase in the frequency of bowel movements compared to the control group, the isolated effect of vitamin C itself wasn't entirely clear. The combination treatment appeared to improve bowel regularity, but it was difficult to determine how much vitamin C contributed independently to these results.
Additionally, we found that about 67% of participants were diligent in tracking their bowel diary entries, which helped ensure the reliability of our findings to an extent. Yet, a significant portion of the records were not kept as scheduled, highlighting potential hurdles in data collection for decentralized trials.
Overall, our observations suggest that while vitamin C, especially when paired with Lactobacillus, may provide some benefits for those struggling with constipation, we should exercise caution before attributing all improvements solely to vitamin C.