Co-Supplementation effect of lactobacillus species on weight loss in overweight and obese women

Background & Aims: Although there are many evidences about the benefici effects of probiotics, their anti-obesity effects are not clear yet. Previous studies have shown both decreasing and increasing effects of different probiotics on body weight. Some of the probiotics, which may decrease weight, are L. plantarum, L. acidophilus, L. fermentum and L. gasseri. In this research, we studied the effect of cosupplementation of these Lactobacillus species on weight loss in overweight and obese women.

Materials & Methods: This single center, double-blinded, randomized, placebo controlled intervention trial was undertaken on 80 women with body mass index (BMI) between 26.5 and 36.27. Participants were randomly assigned to receive either two capsules of probiotics (LactoFem, zisttakhmir co) per day containing 10⁹ cfu lactobacillus or lactose placebo for 3 months. Anthropometric measurements and lipoprotein profile were evaluated before intervention and 3 months afterwards.

Results: After 3 months, 0.36% reduction in body weight (p=0.05), 0.35% in BMI (p=0.04), 0.45% in subscapular skinfold thickness (p=0.01), 4.42% in total cholesterol (p=0.00) and 7.96% in LDL cholesterol (p=0.00) was noted in the intervention group, but there were no significant changes between
groups.

Conclusion: Results showed co-supplementation of Lactobacillus species had beneficial effects on anthropometric measurements and lipoprotein profile in obese and overweight women