SCIENCE SHORT

Probiotics backed for weight loss benefits: Meta-analysis

By Tim Cutcliffe

- Last updated on GMT

© iStock
© iStock

Related tags Body mass index Obesity

Probiotic supplementation with various strains of Lactobacillus have been shown to induce a small but statistically significant weight loss in the obese and overweight, according to a new review and meta-analysis.

Weighted mean difference calculations in a meta-analysis of 15 studies of probiotic supplementation showed larger reductions in body weight, body mass index (BMI) and fat percentage in the intervention group compared with placebo, found the researchers writing in Obesity Reviews.

“Our meta-analysis showed that short-term (≤12 weeks) probiotic supplementation reduced body weight, BMI and fat percentage, but the effect sizes were small​,” wrote first author Dr. Heidi Borgeraas from the Morbid Obesity Centre, Vestfold Hospital Trust, Tønsberg, Norway.

Additionally, there was no significant effect of probiotic supplementation on fat mass.  

Two previous reviews had drawn similar conclusions on body weight and BMI. However, in one of these, intervention groups in many of the included studies received prebiotics as well as probiotics.  Additionally, neither review considered the effect in overweight or obese subjects, population types which might benefit the most from weight loss.

Probiotic genera/ species

The trials included in the review all had interventions of between 3-12 weeks. All except three studies used Lactobacillus. ​Subgroup analysis did not show differing effect sizes between these three and those using Lactobacillus. ​ No further subgroup analysis of dosage effect was performed, as the daily supplemented dose did not show large variations between studies.

A large number of the studies included multiple genera and species of probiotic. The researchers thus noted a lack of specificity of the effects of individual genera and species on the endpoints. 

The researchers suggested that “the risk of bias within included studies was low, but, importantly, a number of trials were not registered and/or lacked a priori sample size calculation and were thus regarded as having unclear or high risk of reporting and other biases.”

For this reason, they recommended that “further long-term studies are required to examine the effects of probiotic supplementation on various measures on body weight.”

Source: Obesity Reviews
Published online, doi: 10.1111/obr.12626
“Effects of probiotics on body weight, body mass index, fat mass and fat percentage in subjects with overweight or obesity: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials”
 Authors: H. Borgeraas, L. K. Johnson, J. Skattebu, J. K. Hertel, J. Hjelmesæth

Related news

Show more

Related products

show more

Whitepaper: Discover a new era in postbiotics

Whitepaper: Discover a new era in postbiotics

Content provided by DSM Nutritional Products | 28-Nov-2023 | White Paper

Postbiotic ingredients are set to open up a world of opportunities across the human health and nutrition industry, fueled by developing science demonstrating...

Taking Immune Support to a New Level

Taking Immune Support to a New Level

Content provided by AB Biotek Human Nutrition & Health | 30-Oct-2023 | White Paper

Patent-pending ABB C1® redefines immune support by addressing innate, acquired, and Trained Immunity. In 'ABB C1®: Training Now for Future Immune...

Custom Biotic Solutions for Digestive Health

Custom Biotic Solutions for Digestive Health

Content provided by ADM: Innovation that Feeds the Future | 10-Oct-2023 | White Paper

A growing body of evidence shows gut health can affect digestive health, well-being, and many health areas in between.

Related suppliers

Follow us

Products

View more

Webinars