Gut-brain-axis: BiOkuris synbiotic shows dual benefits for IBS and anxiety

BiOkuris has discovered that its synbiotic BK002 offers notable benefits for gastrointestinal symptoms and significantly reduces anxiety. Nutrition Insight speaks with the company to learn more about irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and the reasons why synbiotics are considered superior for its treatment. 

Evaluated in its clinical study, Vitabiotic, a IBS treatment, had an 83% responder rate. “BK002 is unique because it clinically demonstrates dual efficacy on gut and mood symptoms across all IBS subtypes, something very few — if any — non-Rx products on the market have achieved with robust data,” Dr. Benoit Palms, Chief Business Officer, tells us.

François Blondel, CEO of BiOkuris, adds: “These results validate our technology and demonstrate a new approach to IBS treatment that addresses both physical and psychological aspects of the disease.” 

The company notes that over 60% of patients are dissatisfied with the current IBS treatment options, which affects around 10–20% of people globally. 

“Additionally, up to 40–60% of IBS patients experience anxiety or depressive symptoms. The gut-brain axis is bidirectional — gut dysfunction can worsen mood, and anxiousness can exacerbate IBS flares,” says Palms.

BiOkuris details that BK002’s “multi-component mechanism” as a combination of fungal chitin-glucan (fungal fiber), the probiotic strain Lactobacillus acidophilus NCFM, and vitamin D3. Palms says that together, they modulate the gut environment by restoring microbiota balance, acting as anti-inflammatories, boosting barrier integrity, and reducing symptoms.

“The chitin-glucan selectively stimulates beneficial bacteria, improving microbial diversity that is often reduced in IBS patients. NCFM (and chitin-glucan and vitamin D3) has been shown to modulate local immune responses, lowering gut inflammation, which is a driver of abdominal pain and bloating.” 

BiOkuris details that BK002 restores microbiota balance, acts as an anti-inflammatory, boosts barrier integrity, and reduces symptoms.“Vitamin D3 and chitin-glucan strengthen epithelial barrier function, reducing intestinal permeability (‘leaky gut’) that contributes to IBS symptoms. This synergy helps normalize bowel movements and reduces pain, bloating, and discomfort equally across all three IBS subtypes — IBS-D, IBS-C, and IBS-M,” he explains.

Superior synbiotics

Palms further explains that synbiotics could be more important for IBS patients than other kinds of supplements, as they are different from single ingredients like probiotics or fiber, as they deliver the live bacteria and the selective substrate that nourishes them.

“This dual action is especially important for IBS patients. A probiotic alone may not persist in the gut; pairing it with a targeted prebiotic ensures better survival, colonization, and activity.” 

Because IBS is multifactorial — motility, sensitivity, microbiota imbalance, low-grade inflammation — synbiotics are able to respond to multiple pathways simultaneously,” Palms explains.

“Also, IBS symptoms are strongly linked to stress and mood. By reshaping the microbiota and influencing metabolite production — such as short-chain fatty acids and tryptophan metabolites — synbiotics offer a broader therapeutic scope than isolated supplements.” 

Through its effects on GABAergic (gamma-aminobutyric acid) signaling and tryptophan metabolism, NCFM in BK002 generates metabolites that penetrate the gut-blood barrier and communicate with the central nervous system, notes Palms.

“The chitin-glucan enhances the growth of butyrate-producing bacteria, which modulate vagal nerve activity and have anxiolytic effects. Vitamin D3 contributes to mood regulation via serotonin synthesis and immune modulation.” 

“BK002’s trials have shown improvement in subjective global assessment gut scores and reduction in anxiousness levels, making it unique among non-Rx IBS products,” he comments.

BK002 clinical trial

BK002’s patented formulation offers a comprehensive solution to IBS, working on the gastrointestinal function and the gut-brain axis. 

Aspergillus is a common mold that causes various illnesses in humans, like allergies or lung infections.Palms adds: “The Vitabiotic study provides strong clinical validation for BK002. The very high responder rate and its dual effect distinguish it from existing therapies, and we are now actively seeking strategic partners to bring this innovative product to market in 2026.” 

The supplement’s study was carried out over 12 weeks in Belgium, BiOkuris outlines. The prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial had patients receiving BK002 or a placebo for eight weeks. 

Responders were re-randomized to continue BK002 or switch to placebo, and non-responders continued BK002 for four weeks. All patients had free access to BK002 in a four-week follow-up.

The researchers examined improvements in IBS symptoms, psychological well-being, and safety.

Overcoming formulation challenges 

Palms explains that optimal dosing posed one challenge in creating BK002.

“Identifying the most effective amounts of each ingredient through preclinical dosing assays to obtain chitin-glucan at 1.5 g, vitamin D3 at 1,500 IU, and NCFM at 109 CFUs in one formulation that also meets the nutritional needs of IBS patients.” 

The proprietary prebiotic chitin-glucan was found to modulate microbial ecology, immunity, and the production of SCFAs, particularly butyrate, which is important for gut-brain signaling.

Researchers chose Lactobacillus acidophilus NCFM as it is one of the best-studied probiotic strains from IFF in gastrointestinal and immune health, says Palms. It has evidenced effects on abdominal pain and anxiety-like behavior in preclinical models.

Chitin-glucan and vitamin D3 have been shown to reduce gut inflammation, which causes abdominal pain and bloating.Meanwhile, since 80% of IBS patients show vitamin D deficiency — tied to symptom severity and mood disorders — supplementing helps gut barrier and mental health, concludes Palm.

IBS in spotlight

In other headlines, a clinical study revealed that dsm-firmenich’s synbiotic supplement, combined with microencapsulated sodium butyrate, provided IBS symptom relief in four weeks.

Separate research uncovered that many people with IBS who believe they are sensitive to gluten or wheat may not actually have allergies to these ingredients.

Gut-brain interaction disorders have been noted to surge post-pandemic, including IBS and functional dyspepsia, according to a recent study. Experts called for updated care models, as those with long COVID are even more likely to have these disorders.