CO-SUPPLEMENTATION EFFECT OF LACTOBACILLUS SPECIES ON WEIGHT LOSS IN OVERWEIGHT AND OBESE WOMEN

Although there are many evidences about the beneficial 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) 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