A recent study has demonstrated the positive effects of probiotics on various health parameters in overweight individuals. Previous meta-analyses have already indicated the influence of probiotics on glucose and lipid metabolism, body fat mass, weight, visceral adipose tissue, and liver steatosis. However, certain strains of Limosilactobacillus fermentum, specifically K7-Lb1 (DSM 22831) and K8-Lb1 (DSM 22832), have shown exceptional results in suppressing the Th1 and Th2 response of PBMCs in vitro, unlike other strains which increased the Th1 and Th2 response. This study aims to explore the effects of these anti-inflammatory strains, either as probiotics or in combination with the prebiotic acacia gum, on traits of metabolic syndrome, which is strongly associated with low-grade inflammation.
Conducted in Germany and funded by Slimbiotics GmbH, Austria, the study followed a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial with three parallel arms. A total of 180 individuals with abdominal overweight were administered (1) placebo, (2) probiotic containing L. fermentum strains, or (3) synbiotic containing the strains along with acacia gum (10 g daily) for a duration of three months. Bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA), visceral adiposity index (VAI), anthropometry, blood pressure, serum parameters, sonography, and gastrointestinal symptoms were used to assess the effects on various health-related parameters.
Results indicated that the probiotic supplementation led to significant improvements in body fat mass, body weight, BMI, waist circumference, WHtR, visceral adipose tissue, and liver steatosis grade, as evaluated through BIA. The number of positive outcomes surpassed the expectations based on meta-analyses of previous probiotic studies targeting weight management and metabolic health. On the other hand, the synbiotic supplementation showed better outcomes in reducing visceral adipose tissue, liver steatosis grade, and constipation. It is worth noting that the count of viable lactobacilli was lower in the synbiotic group, potentially due to excessive moisture from acacia gum in the test preparation.
Although the reduction in liver steatosis grade and certain health parameters in the probiotic group compared to the placebo group did not reach statistical significance, it revealed a more pronounced effect. This may be attributed to most individuals starting with baseline levels within the normal range. Despite a non-significant reduction in CRP, the probiotic strains displayed an evident effect on body fat mass, BMI, body weight, and visceral adipose tissue. The study authors suggest that probiotics may induce butyrate and GLP-1 or regulate chaperone ClpB, mechanisms that have been associated with the reduction of body fat mass and overweight.
Furthermore, the study alludes to the potential of certain microorganisms that metabolize fructose via the mannitol pathway, which may reduce ethanol production in the gut by competing with fructose-metabolizing microorganisms. By considering fructose metabolism, these microorganisms could contribute to improved lipid and glucose metabolism.
In conclusion, this human clinical study highlights the beneficial effects of probiotics, particularly specific strains of L. fermentum, on body fat mass and various traits of metabolic syndrome in overweight individuals. These findings present promising prospects for utilizing probiotic and synbiotic interventions in weight management and metabolic health. [Source: Nutrients, “Effect of a Probiotic and a Synbiotic on Body Fat Mass, Body Weight and Traits of Metabolic Syndrome in Individuals with Abdominal Overweight: A Human, Double-Blind, Randomised, Controlled Clinical Study” – Laue, C.; Papazova, E.; Pannenbeckers, A.; Schrezenmeir, J.]
