Probiotic Supplement Found to Reduce Bodyweight and Improve Well-being

The supplementation of lactobacilli and bifidobacteria was found to decrease each subjects bodyweight by, on average, 1.3kg. Subjects also experienced a significant increase in their quality of life.

In this randomised controlled study, 220 overweight or obese individuals (aged 30-65 years old) received daily Lab4P probiotic supplments, or a matched placebo, for 6 months.

The researchers observed that the participants with high cholesterol experienced the biggest improvements, with a average of 2.5% of their total body weight lost, compared to 1.9% loss in the normal group.

Interestingly, the data showed that at 3 months there were limited, if any, changes in response to the supplementation. Suggesting that 6 months of supplementation of this dosage of Lab4P was required to have a meaningful effect.

This study demonstrates the importance of the role that gut bacteria play in metabolism and weight management. By expanding our knowledge in this area we can hope to further our search for effective therapies for the ever-growing obesity epidemic and it’s associated complications.