Randomization was performed by an experimenter using an online random number generator, selecting a random number between 1 and 2 for each participant. Participants were assigned to either supplementation or placebo group and were blinded to the assignment single-blind design. Data were collected between October and July All measurements were conducted twice—at baseline and after treatment, by the same researcher, to minimize discrepancies between measuring techniques.
Participants were asked not to change any of their nutritional and lifestyle habits during the study. There were no significant differences in energy and nutrients intake, as well as the structure of product consumption by participants. Participants were instructed to immediately contact the researcher in case any side effects occur. No participants reported any side effects during or after the study; only one participant complained about capsules being difficult to swallow due to their size. Based on a previous study [ 33 ], a mean difference in BMI primary outcome of this study of 0.
Based on this, 11 subjects in each group were needed. We decided to aim for double the necessary size, considering other outcomes included in the study and the expected drop-out rate. Participants were asked to stand on a scale without shoes and in light clothing. Body mass was assessed using medical, electronic stale with 0. Body mass index was calculated as weight kg divided by the square of height m. Waist circumference was measured midway between the lowest rib and iliac crest using a non-stretchable measuring tape.
Hips circumference was measured as the widest part of the hips, around the widest portion of the buttocks. Waist to hip ratio WHR was calculated by dividing waist measurement in cm by the hips measurement in cm. Body composition percentage of fat tissue was assessed using a handheld bioimpedance device Clatronic FAG and referred to values provided by the manufacturer. Arm skinfold fat was measured at triceps using standard calipers [ 34 ].
Due to the small sample size, a non-parametric Wilcoxon signed rank test was used to calculate the significance of changes pre and post supplementation. Wherever reference values were applicable, additional Chi-square tests were conducted to test whether the sample characteristics differed significantly pre and post-treatment. Table 1 shows changes in anthropometric measures pre and post-treatment. Body mass decreased more after treatment in the supplementation group by 3.
Similarly, BMI decreased more after treatment in the supplementation group by 4. Body fat percentage increased in the supplementation group by 0. In the placebo group, body fat percentage decreased by 1. Arm skinfold measured at the triceps decreased more in the placebo group by Both changes were not statistically significant. Waist circumference increased in the supplementation group by 0. In both groups, changes were not statistically significant. Similarly, WHR increased in the supplementation group by 1. Changes were also not significant.
All the effect sizes were small. The results are shown in Table 2. Overall, changes in sample characteristics pre and post-treatment were not statistically significant on all measures, with small effects sizes. No changes were observed in percentage distribution after treatment.
These changes were not statistically significant. Recently, an increase in the consumption of food supplements is observed, especially in females. This trend is present in all age groups, and a common motivation for using such products is aiding weight loss—including body mass, body fat content, and body size decrease. Probiotic supplements are among the most popular products advertised and used for this purpose. The presented study investigated the effects of prophylactic B. The main aim of the study was to assess whether prophylactic consumption of probiotic supplements can aid weight loss.
Results show no significant effects of both probiotic treatment and placebo on all anthropometric measures Table 1 : body mass, BMI, body fat percentage, arm skinfold fat, waist circumference, and WHR. Wherever reference values were applicable, participants were scored accordingly Table 2 to test whether the percentage distribution of the study group was affected by the treatment.
These findings are in line with most published data [ 2 , 14 , 19 , 25 , 29 , 30 ]. All the effect sizes obtained in the study were small, further supporting this outcome. Few studies emphasized the role of gut microbes in obesity and their crucial role in the development of obesity [ 5 , 41 , 42 ].
Despite this, Park and Bae [ 27 ] argued that weight loss is mostly associated with food habits and dietary behaviors, not probiotic intake. In a study by Zarrati et al. Probiotic treatment without a low-calorie diet had no effect on anthropometric measures. The study reported a greater decrease in body weight, BMI, weight, and hip circumference in a group that received diet and probiotic yogurt compared to the diet-only group, but these differences were not statistically significant. Sanchez et al. Changes were observed only in female participants. The study outcome suggests that the effects of probiotics might be sex-specific, but to our knowledge, no other data supporting this were published yet.
In both studies above, participants were obese at baseline, and beside probiotic supplementation, a dietary intervention was conducted. Results point towards a facilitating role of probiotics in weight loss and maintenance. A study by Sergeev et al. Results reported by Sergeev et al.
A large study showing positive effects of probiotic treatment on anthropometric measures was published by Kadooka et al. No significant changes were found in the placebo group. Positive effects of probiotic supplementation were also found in a study by Ahmadi et al. No changes were observed in the placebo group. A meta-analysis of 25 randomized, placebo-controlled trials by Zhang et al.
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A recent meta-analysis of 43 trials by Koutnikova et al. However, improvement in some anthropometric body fat mass and waist circumference measures was observed in overweight, but not obese patients, suggesting that due to severe gut microbiota dysbiosis associated with obesity, these patients might be resistant to probiotic supplementation, or might require long-term treatment.
A review of clinical trials by Marques et al. Authors point towards two main problems with studies on the effects of probiotics: strain-specific effects of probiotics and the fact that most of the studies also include either dietary intervention hypocaloric diet or do not control caloric intake sufficiently, along with probiotic supplementation, making it difficult to assess the effects of probiotics alone. A meta-analysis by McFarland et al.
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Even directly compared, two different strains of the same species Lactobacillus casei showed a significant difference in efficacy for preventing AAD. It is possible then that results obtained in this study were not significant due to chosen strains not being effective for influencing host energy balance and metabolism and thus weight loss. According to McFarland et al. This means that a combination of B. As we described broader in our previous article [ 9 ], microbial components responsible for health benefits are still unknown [ 48 ], and the effects of probiotic products are difficult to study because of person-specific resistance to mucosal colonization in the gut after administering probiotic bacteria described by Zmora et al.
Not all bacteria strains might produce similar outcomes. These might be important confounding factors in research on the effects of probiotics on human health. Some studies indicate that rather than probiotic supplementation, complete fecal microbiome transplantation autologous or from a healthy donor might be a more reliable way of modulating gut microbiota composition [ 21 , 49 ].
Good for Gut Health
A meta-analysis by Kristensen et al. Simple probiotic supplementation, while not harmful, might not be effective in altering gut microbiota, or at least not universally [ 21 ]. None of the studies mentioned above reported any adverse effect of probiotic products [ 33 , 35 , 36 , 37 , 38 , 39 , 40 , 43 ], and none were found in this study.
Food supplements and functional food are deemed generally safe. The outcome of this study does not support the claims by the producers of probiotic supplements that daily, prophylactic consumption of such products is beneficial for weight loss. However, the probiotic supplement used in this study might be effective in other areas e. Because of the unregulated nature of food supplements in general, this transfer is not warranted and may be confusing to the customers.
Strengths of the study include placebo-controlled, single-blind design, narrowing the sample to participants aged 20—30, a relatively long time of supplementation, and control over caloric intake. Participants with possible disease-related and after antibiotic treatment alterations in gut microbiota were excluded from the study, ensuring similar baseline conditions for supplementation. The second assessment was conducted shortly after the end of the supplementation period, as data suggests that discontinuing treatment might reverse its effects [ 20 ]. A possible weakness of this study is a relatively small sample and no control over metabolic and inflammation parameters.
The Health Benefits of Lactobacillus Acidophilus
According to Marques et al. Gut microbiota is linked to the development of obesity and metabolical disorders, but the mechanisms behind this association have not been clearly established. Probiotic products are gaining popularity, mostly because of the broadly advertised benefits for weight loss. There is some evidence that probiotic supplementation might be beneficial for weight loss, but the results are not conclusive, and published trials are limited by insufficient control over diet and other confounding factors.
Most of the studies introduce a dietary intervention along with probiotic treatment, making it difficult to assess the effects of probiotics alone.
The 4 Best Probiotics for Weight Loss: How to Fix Your Gut & Lose Fat Fast
The study provides evidence that prophylactic probiotic supplementation without a hypocaloric diet does not cause weight loss in healthy young adults, further supporting the hypothesis that probiotics might play a facilitating role for weight loss. The study points towards possible confounding factors necessary to control in further research. Probiotic supplementation with commercially available products while not harmful, might not be beneficial for health, including weight loss.
Postep Mikrobiol — Google Scholar. Br J Nutr S Scholz-Ahrens KE, Ade P, Marten B et al Prebiotics, probiotics, and synbiotics affect mineral absorption, bone mineral content, and bone structure. J Nutr S—S Nature — Eat Weight Disord — Eat Weight Disord 23 3 — Best Pract Res Clin Gastroenterol — Postep Mikrobiol —8.
Mayo Clin Proc — Steenbergen L, Sellaro R, van Hemert S et al A randomized controlled trial to test the effect of multispecies probiotics on cognitive reactivity to sad mood.