Update on IBS treatments: Examining the efficacy of antidepressants, psychological therapies, prebiotics, probiotics, synbiotics and antibiotics

The published results of the study required to be written in English. In order to address the proposed objective, a systematic review has been carried out, finishing in September 2021 in three health science databases (Pubmed, Web of Science and Scopus). A synbiotic, is defined as “a mixture comprising live microorganisms and substrate(s) used selectively by host microorganisms that confers a benefit to the health of the host” . Although research in humans is incipient, there are clear indications that the intestinal microbiota is important for maintaining homeostasis of energy metabolism 13,14,15. In addition, this altered microbiota also results in a suppressed production of fasting-induced adipose factor (Fiaf).

Side Effects

This study provides compelling evidence that targeted gut modulation offers an effective, integrative approach to sustainable weight management and metabolic optimization. In our study, improvements in IWQOL-Lite scores across multiple domains-physical function (79.97%), self-esteem (81.59%), sexual life (27.40%), public distress (44.33%), and work-related quality of life (68.42%)-demonstrate the broad-ranging benefits of gut microbiota modulation. These findings align with the growing body of evidence supporting the therapeutic potential of psychobiotics probiotics that positively influence mental well-being through microbiota modulation. Breve B-3 in overweight adults reported significant reductions in body fat mass and percentage by weeks eight and 12, alongside slight improvements in triglyceride and HDL cholesterol levels .

Recent Insights About Probiotics Related Pharmabiotics in Pharmacology: Prevention and Management of Diseases

To characterize the effects of probiotics on plasma lipid profiles, 7 randomized controlled trials were included in the meta-analysis, of which 7 studies reported the changes in TC, TG, or LDL-C, respectively, and 6 studies reported the changes in HDL-C. The results suggest that probiotics have positive effects on weight-loss in parallel with the improvement of the plasma lipid profile and glucose metabolism. No particular study significantly affected the pooled effect of probiotics on glucose metabolic parameters (fasting plasma glucose, HbA1c, and HOMA-IR) by sensitivity analyses. Due to no more than 7 studies reported on the effects of probiotics on fasting plasma glucose, HbAlc, insulin, and HOMA-IR, subgroup analyses were not conducted based on probiotics dosage, numbers of probiotics species, and forms of probiotics. A total of 5 studies, with 341 participants (166 consuming probiotics, 175 not consuming probiotics), evaluated the effect of probiotics supplementation on HOMA-IR (Figure 5(d)). The prebiotics in these foods fuel your beneficial gut microbes, and they’re also nutrient-dense, filling, and unlikely to cause side effects or drug interactions. On average, though, people only lost about one kilogram (roughly two pounds) and the effects were only seen after three or four months of supplementation. Like other dietary supplements, perhaps the most benign risk of using a probiotic is that it won’t do anything except make your wallet a little lighter. Gut microbes can convert indigestible dietary carbohydrates to absorbable short-chain fatty acids, essentially liberating more energy from the diet for their human hosts. The gut microbiome became an overnight sensation as a potential target for weight management.
  • This shows that taking probiotics has a certain effect on weight loss.
  • Gene expression is one of the important factors affecting obesity and excessive visceral fat.
  • Various studies have evaluated the effects of probiotics in overweight and obese patients affected by diabetes.
  • Changes in the composition of gut microbiota affect gut health and also may affect the health of other body tissues by immune mechanisms9,10.
  • Preclinical evidence supporting the “anti-obesity” effects of probiotics mainly comes from studies on probiotics belonging to the genus Lactobacillus.
  • Therefore, 12 weeks seems to be the trend to start observing positive effects on body weight and/or fat mass by using probiotics.
  • Probiotic supplementation with commercially available products while not harmful, might not be beneficial for health, including weight loss.
  • Reuteri ATCC 6475 administered in drinking water prevented abdominal fat pathology independent of baseline diet.
Probiotics work synergistically with diet for optimal weight management results. Bifidobacterium lactis B420 has shown promise in regulating body fat and reducing waist circumference. Some strains can reduce fat absorption and storage while increasing fat excretion. Specific bacterial groups like Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes appear to affect how efficiently the body extracts energy from food. An imbalanced microbiome may contribute to weight gain and obesity. For example, probiotics may lessen symptoms of diarrhea in 1 to 2 days. How long it takes probiotics to work depends on why you’re taking them and what you’re trying to treat. When prebiotics are combined with probiotics, they’re called synbiotics. But prebiotics can help feed the good bacteria in our gut. It turns out that humans might also have important differences in their gut microbiome depending on body size. For instance, reduced visceral adipose tissue and waist circumference were only observed after treatment of obese adult with a high dose of L. This gender-specific change would seem to be related to a greater impact on satiety efficiency, eating habits, and mood, which favorably influence obesity management. Although, in general terms, no gender-specific anti-obesogenic effects were found, Sánchez et al. reported that therapy based on L. In the supplementation group at pretest, 90% of participants were classified as not at risk of metabolic diseases (WHR  0.85). In the placebo group at pretest, 5% of participants were classified as underweight, 78% were classified as normal weight, and 18% as overweight. In the placebo group, body fat percentage decreased by 1.95%, but this change was also not statistically significant. Recently, Nihei et al. found that supplementation with α-cyclodextrins not only modulated intestinal gut microbiota, but also increased lactic acid and SCFAs levels in obese mice. Interestingly, these host metabolism responses were linked to major changes in gut microbiota composition, increasing the amount of Bacteriodetes while reducing the proportion of phyla related to obesity (Firmicutes, Proteobacteria, and Tenericutes). Muciniphila, a mucin-degrading bacterium located in human mucosa , have been also identified as beneficial probiotics on the management of obesity-related metabolic and immune dysfunction, including fat-mass gain, metabolic endotoxemia, adipose tissue inflammation, and insulin resistance. Other studies using different species and/or strains of Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium have failed to demonstrate beneficial effects of probiotic therapy on obese animals. In this regard, bariatric surgery has been related to greater body weight loss and control of obesity-related comorbidities, but it is not widely used due to high costs and a high risk of adverse events, including anemia and reoperations. A majority of the studies reviewed here focused on intervention with Lactobacillus spp. One of the major mechanisms of probiotic action is through the regulation of host immune response and cytokine profile 79,80. Lactobacilli and Bifidobacteria have been shown to inhibit a variety of pathogens, including E.
  • A considerable majority of the studies found in the literature search were based on the change produced in the intestinal microbiota by the disease and after the intervention.
  • Probiotics showed modulatory effects only on LDL-C and not on other lipid markers in this study of overweight or obese women, which differed from studies on overweight or obese adults(Pontes et al., 2021; Yan et al., 2019).
  • Additionally, some gut bacteria metabolize bile acids and their conjugates for a source of energy, causing activation of bile acid receptors essential for maintaining glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity, in the intestine and liver .
  • The number and the ratio of microbial groups undergoing changes in the intestine following probiotic administration have been well documented.
  • While this 90-day study demonstrated promising metabolic and weight-related improvements, further research could strengthen these findings by exploring long-term sustainability.
  • Further adequately powered target studies are needed to confirm these findings and to assess the impact in a multi-centre study.
Moreover, different modalities of obesity treatment have been shown to change the diversity and composition of the gut microbiome; this raises questions about the role these changes may play in weight loss. This review examined the relationship between obesity and the gut microbiome, and the role of probiotics, prebiotics, and synbiotics for preventing and treating obesity. Understanding of the role of the gut microbiome in weight and health management may lead to future revolutionary changes for treating obesity. Surprisingly, all four strains reduced serum and liver triglycerides and significantly alleviated lipid deposition in the liver. Positive results were also obtained with several Bifidobacterium strains 73,82,83. It was shown that the reduction of fat accumulation was mediated by the downregulated expression of lipogenic and pro-inflammatory genes in the liver.

Appendix A. Supplementary data

Participants were provided with pots containing 93 capsules at baseline and 3 months and unused capsules were collected at 3 months and 6 months for compliance monitoring and enumeration of viable bacteria; no deterioration in the product occurred during the intervention period (data not shown). All products were prepared by Cultech Ltd, Port Talbot, UK and packed into induction-sealed high-density polyethylene pots and stored at 4–8 °C at the trial site; participants were instructed to refrigerate the supplement throughout the study. The randomisation scheme was generated by an independent statistician using SAS PROC PLAN (SAS v9.4) and the study product was randomised before arrival at the trial site.
Use of probiotics in preventing and treating excess weight and obesity. A systematic review
Greatest weight loss together with decreases in small dense LDL-C level were observed in hypercholesterolaemic participants. The limitations of our study include the lack of a formal power calculation due to the exploratory nature of the study, its geographical isolation (single centre) and also the free living nature of the participants (no dietary control). In the current study, there was significantly less sneezing, coughing and blocked nose reported by those participants receiving Lab4P compared to the placebo and the overall incidence ratio of URTI was reduced in the probiotic group. Torres B, Sánchez MC, Virto L, Llama‐Palacios A, Ciudad MJ, Collado L. Use of probiotics in preventing and treating excess weight and obesity. Sakei (CJLS03) in isolation have shown consistent results toward improving the parameters related to controlling weight, including body weight, total fat mass, BMI, and waist circumference. These observations agree with those reported by other authors who have highlighted the disparity of the results.41, 42, 45 Thus, more rigorously designed randomized clinical trials are necessary to examine the effect of probiotics on weight loss, reduction in BMI, WHI, or waist circumference in greater detail. Another important point is the duration of the studies, which ranged from 4 to 36 weeks. Some strains are more resistant to storage, and the dosage can also vary depending on how it is administered, for example either in dairy products or via capsule . One of the main reasons for this variations in the doses may be the characteristics of each probiotic. Another study using L. Gasseri SBT2055 and observed a decrease in visceral fat area, BMI and waist and hip circumference at doses of 106 CFU/g. The study utilizes a randomized, single-blind, placebo-control design. Get the latest health tips and articles delivered directly to your inbox. It has taught Oakley that “optimizing body and mind” flourishes precisely at the wellspring of community. Melissa believes everyone has the power to improve their health, one small habit at a time. Melissa is a freelance writer and editor for dietitians and wellness brands. This is particularly due to the difficulty in maintaining body weight in the long term; more than half of the weight lost is regained after 2 years of losing it, and more than three quarters is regained at 5 years.40 Given this result, there is an obvious need to investigate new approaches to achieve sustained weight loss over time and prevent its regaining as well as preventing weight gain in individuals with unfavorable environments. However, there is currently a broad debate on the influence of probiotics on the body's metabolism especially regarding obesity. The administration of probiotics for the management of obesity may represent an attractive therapeutic strategy but, even though encouraging results emerged from experiments on rodents, the efficacy of probiotics in obese humans remains highly debatable . Probiotics can influence effective on obese and diabetic patients, through positively influencing the lipid profile and insulin sensitivity—both mechanisms can have an ultimate positive effect on the body weight, BMI, WC, and HC .
  • The square represents the measures of effect (i.e., an odd ratios) for each study; the area of each square is proportional to the study’s weight in the meta-analysis.
  • Percentage of changes in the different variables between pre and post-intervention phase were calculated ad drawn using the EXCL program.A written informed consent was obtained from all participants after being informed about the purpose of the study.
  • Kombucha tea is a fermented drink made with tea, sugar, bacteria and yeast.
  • Keywords used to perform the query in the 7 databases used in this study.
  • In the most recent meta-analyses detailing probiotics and weight loss, body weight reductions up to 1.05 kg and BMI reductions up to 0.55 kg/m2 have been reported for overweight/obese subjects10,22,27.
  • In the future, nutrition doctors can consider giving some probiotics to abdominal obese people on the basis of ensuring basic energy consumption, so as to help them improve treatment compliance and improve the success rate of reducing waist circumference.
  • In the supplementation group at pretest, no participants were classified as below recommended BF content ( 40).
  • The synergy between fiber and probiotics supports gut microbial composition, leading to enhanced SCFA production and promoting insulin sensitivity and satiety while modulating inflammation by regulating immune responses and gut barrier integrity .
Probiotics and weight management are closely linked. It increases fat burning, lowers calorie intake, and affects hormones that control hunger and metabolism. It helps control hunger, boosts fat burning, and improves metabolism. This is important because only certain strains of probiotics can regulate body weight. A meta-analysis conducted by Park et al. (four RCT studies) did not show a significant effect of probiotics on body weight and BMI. Finally, healthy people without being overweight or obese can also benefit from the use of probiotics. To better understand the effect of probiotics on body weight, studies with single probiotics should be designed in the future. In several clinical studies, the influence of probiotic supplementation in children on body weight and body mass index (BMI) was checked. What’ s more, some previous basic studies have put forward the opposite conclusion on whether probiotics can improve obesity and visceral fat3,6,10. In recent years, it has been reported that probiotics can reduce obesity and visceral fat content, and some studies have put forward the opposite conclusion. The strengths of this study are that only randomized clinical trials were included in order to compilate the highest degree of evidence, conducted in otherwise healthy people with overweight or obesity in order to minimize biases. Plantarum KY1032 showed reductions in body weight, BMI and waist circumference , what reinforces previous results carried out in mice, where they showed a reduction in weight gain and accumulation of fat, through the modulation of the intestinal microbiota . Further research is needed to understand the role of probiotics in preventing and treating obesity. Research has suggested that having a wide variety of beneficial bacteria in your gut may have far-reaching health benefits. Having a healthy balance of gut bacteria is an imperative part of your overall health. The helpful bacteria in your gut play an important role in digesting food, absorbing nutrients for your body to use, and helping to create a robust immune system. Much of the research surrounding probiotics has explored their use in enhancing digestive health. About 2/3 reported changes in bowel habits and between 55 and 60% reported intermittent gastro-intestinal problems regardless of probiotic dose or placebo consumed. We could not observe any gastro-intestinal harm of increased probiotic dose. The aim of the second phase was primarily to evaluate safety and potential side effects. Health Changing dietary habits and maintaining an active lifestyle are essential for treating excess weight and obesity; however, the increasingly greater prevalence of this disease indicates that these actions are not easy for the general population. This statement is based on metagenomic studies that have determined that there are differences in intestinal microbiota between thin individuals and those with obesity. Recently, microbiota that colonize the human gastrointestinal tract have been observed to play an important role in the onset of obesity and other metabolic diseases. Nutritional therapy for obesity and excessive visceral fat mainly relies on lifestyle interventions. In the past five years, targeted therapy and new anti-obesity drugs for single-gene obesity have been developed in medicine, effectively reducing weight by more than 10% in 65% of subjects. Anti-obesity drugs and bariatric surgery can help most patients continue to lose weight to normal levels. This includes conditions such as allergies, diabetes, obesity, depression, irritable bowel syndrome, and dental cavities and gum disease. Probiotics and prebiotics also are added to some foods and come in the form of dietary supplements. Prebiotics may trigger the growth of the "good" germs in the gut. Prebiotics are parts of food the body doesn't digest but that may be used by microorganisms.
  • The imbalance in the functioning of the body is due on the one hand to the imbalance of the gut microbiota because of obesity which alters the beneficial microorganisms and on the other hand this alteration which further promotes obesity by several mechanisms and signalling pathways.44
  • The pathways by which microbiota influence muscle are diverse and complex.25
  • In our study population, cholesterol and other plasma lipids were not significantly changed and support the observation that probiotic supplementation may have little impact in plasma lipids levels in healthy subjects11.
  • It is unclear if the beneficial effect of SCFAs is weakened in obese individuals or if the effect is not strong enough to offset the adverse effects of diet.
  • One of the mechanisms involved in the reduction of BMI after probiotic intake is the regulation of gut microbiota.
  • Reuteri restores a beneficial balance in the Th17/Treg host immunity, even in those individuals who have a pro-inflammatory immune state and chronic inflammation in association with a Westernized “fast food” diet.
  • The research was carried out on PubMed and Scopus, focusing on studies reporting the effect on anthropometric measures (weight, body mass Index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), and hip circumference (HC) after administration of various probiotic strains compared to placebo.
On the other hand, cheese-containing Lactobacillus plantarum TENSIA given to obese hypertensive patients for three weeks resulted in significant reduction of body weight, BMI, and fat mass of the subjects compared to subjects who consumed the control cheese . On the other hand, Lactobacillus reuteri JBD30I administered to overweight and obese individuals for 12 weeks had a positive effect by reducing dietary fat and free fatty acid absorption in the small intestine leading to increased excretion of the free fatty acids . Compared to experimental animal studies, human clinical trials that describe the effects of probiotics in obese individuals are sparse and controversial (Table 1).
Glutathione: The Body’s Master Antioxidant + Clinical Experiences and How To Use It
Obesity is usually an important risk factor for many chronic diseases, especially type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and a variety of malignant tumors35. 6 RCTs included in this study provided pre-intervention and post-intervention BMI data as secondary outcome indicators27,28,29,31,32,33. List of risk of bias assessment checklists included in the study. Comprehensive table of risk of bias assessment of included studies.
  • Increases in certain beneficial bacterial species and decreases in other damaging species may impact the health and the wellbeing of the host (Fischer and Relman, 2018).
  • Participants were asked not to change any of their nutritional and lifestyle habits during the study.
  • The most common — and most studied — probiotic groups used in supplements include lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium, and saccharomyces, all of which can have different impacts on your gut.
  • According to previous studies, multiple factors could influence the effects of probiotics 23, 25, 26.
  • But eating foods with probiotics is a great way to get health benefits without spending extra money on supplements.
  • Early studies in rodents suggested that there was a strong, potentially causative effect of the gut microbiome on body weight, body fat, and weight gain.
  • Normal-weight people are found to have different gut bacteria than overweight or obese people, in both human and animal studies.
  • Several factors could be involved in the mechanism of action of probiotics in lowering LDL-C levels.
Even though there’s evidence that probiotics are ineffective when it comes to treating Crohn’s, there is some confirmation that they’re useful in improving the symptoms of many other gastrointestinal diseases . When taken, they can help neutralise bad bacteria in our gut, in turn improving our ability to digest food and absorb nutrients from it . While experts say there’s still much research to be done to confirm the findings around probiotics, there have been several preliminary discoveries demonstrating their advantages.

How can I add more probiotics to my diet?

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. Arm skinfold fat was measured at triceps using standard calipers . Body composition (percentage of fat tissue) was assessed using a handheld bioimpedance device (Clatronic FAG 2694) and referred to values provided by the manufacturer. Participants were also classified according to WHR as not at substantially increased risk of metabolic complications (WHR  0.85)
  • Different from studies on patients with diabetes or other metabolism syndromes , there was also a significant reduction in fat mass and fat percentage in healthy adults.
  • One study only enrolled female subjects10 and another enrolled male and female subjects but did not report data according to the gender.11
  • But when bacteria from humans with smaller body sizes were transplanted, the mice gained less weight.
  • However, adolescents that consumed the probiotic L.
  • As a general rule of thumb, when choosing a probiotic, look for products with at least 1 billion colony-forming units (CFUs).
  • Plantarum PL62 reduced epididymal, inguinal, mesenteric, and perineal white adipose tissue mass, while also significantly lowering body weight and blood glucose levels in diet-induced obese mice .
  • Probiotics are live bacteria or microorganisms that help promote overall health.
  • The Cochrane Collaboration tool for assessment of randomized controlled trials was independently carried out to assess the risk of bias among the included studies by two authors.
These strains can reduce inflammation, improve fat metabolism, and connect the gut and brain. Some findings are promising, showing certain probiotics can help with weight management. It changes the gut microbiome to help you stay at a healthy weight and balance your metabolism. Bifidobacterium breve helps prevent weight gain and cuts down body fat. Using these probiotic benefits for weight loss can help you reach your weight goals.

Treatment

Treatment with probiotics decreased weight gain significantly; these positive effects were observed at the level of insulin and fasting blood glucose, inflammatory markers, leptin, and chemerin levels (Çelik and Ünlü Söğüt, 2019). Rats were fed either a control diet, a HFD, or a HFD supplemented with probiotics after induction of obesity. Çelik and Ünlü Söğüt (2019) evaluated the impact of probiotic supplementation on levels of chemerin, inflammation, and metabolic syndrome parameters in obese rats. Post menopause it is common for women to notice they have gained weight. However, in order for positive changes in the body to take effect it is generally thought that 12 weeks onwards is when most significant changes can be seen. Optibac Probiotics Bifido & Fibre contains 4g of prebiotic FOS fibers and the probiotic strain Bifidobacterium lactis BB-12®. The probiotics used in the included studies belonged to the genera Lactobacillus34, 35 and Bifidobacterium36, 37 or a combination of the two.38, 39 The species employed varied among the studies. Obesity is considered a chronic disease due to its health risks and the biological mechanisms that impede weight loss.21 Short‐term interventions, either behavioral or medical, are usually insufficient to achieve lasting weight loss. Recent studies raise questions about the widespread use of probiotics to impart general wellness . In addition, data on the correlation between specific claims and specific probiotics in obesity management are missing. Obesity is defined as an excessive accumulation of fat and hypertrophy of adipose tissue . If you have diarrhea after taking an antibiotic, make an appointment with the healthcare professional who prescribed the antibiotic. Your healthcare professional likely will prescribe antibiotics to kill the C. Difficile infection or a related bacterial infection requires stopping the original antibiotic. To assess the effects of probiotic supplementation on BW, BMI, WC, and fat mass in overweight or obese women, data were extracted from eligible studies. Modulation of gut microbiota by probiotics may result in weight loss and thus help in obesity treatment. Compared to placebo, the adolescents who had received the probiotics had significantly increased adiposity and trunk, with no significant effects on gut microbiota, gut appetite-regulating hormones, liver fat and fibrosis, or dietary intake . In the most recent meta-analyses detailing probiotics and weight loss, body weight reductions up to 1.05 kg and BMI reductions up to 0.55 kg/m2 have been reported for overweight/obese subjects10,22,27. This doctor-formulated brand of probiotics contains the clinically researched Lactobacillus gasseri and Lactobacillus rhamnosus at a high dose of 50 billion CFU per serving. The probiotic strains include clinically validated Lactobacillus gasseri and Bifidobacterium infantis. Additionally, Bifidobacterium infantis makes postbiotics acetate and lactate which helps to feed the probiotic bacteria Akkermansia and Butyricum and others. Pendulum GLP-1 Pro is a probiotic formulated to support GLP-1 production without the side effects that prescription drugs carry. For people with small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) methane-predominant, this probiotic may increase digestive symptoms. The investigation of the usefulness of these microbes in shaping weight, and their actions as growth-promoting agents has had great developments in agriculture during the last decade.1 However, the level of clinical trials or research performed with guidance for implementing clinically isn't yet sufficient or consensual. Rhamnosus CGMCC, while promoting weight gain, also reduced leptin levels, reflecting a sensitizing effect for this adipokine which may prove useful in weight gain in a less harmful form. Gasseri BNR17, reduces weight gain compared to controls; L. This expression is mainly used in experimental studies, some of which have been published and indexed before 2012. The correspondent Mesh terms don't have all the potential entries correspondent to the search term we used (i.e. the Mesh term Probiotics does not consider probiotic therapy as entry terms). As complex and chronic diseases, overweight and obesity continue to pose a serious threat to global health(Perdomo et al., 2023). Moreover, subgroup analyses revealed that the effects of probiotic supplementation were significantly influenced by the intervention duration and diet and/or exercise intervention. Of these nine showed decreased body weight and/or body fat, three did not find effect and two showed weight gain. Gut microbiota is important for maintaining body weight. Further studies are required to certify to which extent this compound can facilitate weight loss and metabolic benefits. Based on the fact that gut microbiota clearly differs between obese and lean individuals , selective modulation of gut microbiota using probiotics and/or prebiotics has emerged as a potential therapy for the control of weight gain in both obese and susceptible-to-obesity subjects 55,56,57. In summary, our work suggests that probiotics supplementation could reduce the body weight and fat mass and improve some of the lipid and glucose metabolism parameters, although some of the effects were small. Several randomized controlled studies evaluated the effects of probiotics on body weight control, lipid profiles, and glycemic control and gave conflicting results; several studies suggest that probiotics play an important role in the prevention of obesity 13–19, while other studies hold different views 20–22. Additionally, studies have demonstrated that CLA decreases de novo lipid synthesis and induces adipocyte apoptosis . Obesity has also been linked to low-grade inflammation due to the failure of intestinal epithelial membrane receptor proteins that play a sensory role in the gut 31,32,33. When energy expenditure is low, AMPK is decreased resulting in less activation of enzymes involved in beta oxidation, including acetyl CoA carboxylase and carnitine palmitoyltransferase I, thus leading to obesity . 3. Effects of Probiotics on Weight-Loss and Associated Metabolic Parameters Lactobacillus gasseri In addition to examining the effects of single strains, several studies have used multiple, mixed bacterial strains. Plantarum has proved, at least in the animal studies, an effective probiotic with anti-inflammatory and anti-obesity effects. However, Lactobacillus plantarum (LP625) alone and in combination with herbs (Aloe vera and Gymnema sylvestre) decreased body and epididymal fat weight and reduced expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines.in mice fed the high-fat diet . Plantarum strain, Ln4, a lactic acid bacteria isolated from fermented foods, reduced weight gain and epididymal fat mass and lowered plasma triglycerides in mice fed a high-fat diet .
Critical review of clinical studies
The results of these analyses indicate that the removal of any study involving these parameters would not affect the overall results. On the other hand, the primary reason for studies being categorized as having a high risk of bias was the failure to carry out blinded subjects and personnel. The most frequent reason for studies categorized as having an unclear risk of bias was insufficient description of methods for random sequence generation, allocation concealment, or outcome assessment blinding. Finally, one studies were found to have a high risk of bias(Madjd et al., 2016). Effects of Probiotics and Synbiotics on Weight Loss in Subjects with Overweight or Obesity: A Systematic Review Flow diagram of the studies selection according to PRISMA guidelines. Had there been a sufficient amount of studies (i.e. at least 10 RCTs, as outlined in Chapter 10 the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions),9 we would have constructed funnel plots to assess for any publication bias. We performed a meta-analysis for clinical trials only, for weight change and HDL change parameters, and assessed the heterogeneity using the Cochran's Q statistic with a P value ≤0.1 interpreted as statistically significant. This same process, performed after analysis of the entire article, was performed on a data extraction sheet (based on the Cochrane Consumers and Communication Review Group's data extraction template), and refined after a pilot- test on 5 randomly-selected included studies.9 On the other hand, probiotics produce bacteriocin and organic acids, creating an unfavorable environment for the growth of opportunistic pathogens and their metabolites such as TMA, LPS, and indole . In addition, probiotics have a beneficial effect on the populations of Faecalibacterium prausnitzii, an important buttermilk producer group. Additionally, the administered probiotics increase the amount of Akkermansia muciniphila, which has a positive effect on mucus thickness and intestinal barrier integrity. However, there are some people who should proceed with caution, including those with a malabsorption disorder called short gut syndrome, as well as those who are immunocompromised. The datasets used and/or analyzed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request. At the same time, the heterogeneity of some secondary outcome indicators in this study was too high, and we explained this phenomenon in sensitivity analysis and discussion. At the same time, our study also found some interference of heterogeneity, which needs to be corrected by more high-quality RCTs in the future. It has been noticed that Firmicutes were more effective than Bacteroidetes in extracting energy from food, thus promoting more efficient calorie absorption with subsequent weight gain. Other less dominant phyla include Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria, and Verrucomicrobia8,11. Microorganisms in the human gut are complex and dynamic with a marked impact on the host`s normal homeostasis as well as disease conditions. Mice that received the HFD or HCD showed increases in body weight during the first 9 weeks; however, once probiotics were introduced during the last 4 weeks, weight gain slowed in both groups. This review will discuss the relationship between the gut microbiota and obesity, to increase understanding of the mechanism by which the gut microbiome affects weight gain. In addition, studies have shown that supplementation with probiotics, prebiotics, and synbiotics may alter the secretion of hormones, neurotransmitters, and inflammatory factors, thus preventing food intake triggers that lead to weight gain. Adding Kefir Lab’s probiotics to your routine can help your gut health and weight management. Many studies have looked into how probiotics can help with weight loss. Adding these probiotic strains to your diet can make your weight loss efforts more effective. The probiotic strains in our gut affect our health, including how we manage our weight. Previous meta-analyses have shown that probiotics have a modulating effect on lipid levels in people with type 2 diabetes, overweight/obesity and other high-risk groups for CVD (Borgeraas et al., 2018; DiRienzo, 2014; Mayta-Tovalino et al., 2023; Pontes et al., 2021; Yan et al., 2019; Yao et al., 2017). In this trial testing probiotics for weight loss, no effect was observed after the double-blinded 3-month phase. Further, despite the relatively large sample size, the heterogeneity prevented us from making post-hoc analyses to investigate potential effects in subgroups, e.g. having heredity for overweight or obesity. Potential harm of probiotics is rarely discussed, and it is therefore warranted to investigating side effects of probiotic supplementation20,28.
  • You should know that taking Lactobacillus acidophilus on its own, however, may promote weight gain because it does not effectively break down glucose or fructose.
  • Future clinical trials should consider the duration and implementation of diet or exercise intervention when using probiotics to manage body weight, glucose, and lipid metabolism indicators in overweight/obese women.
  • In mice fed a high fat and sucrose diet, epididymal fat mass and adipocyte size were significantly reduced with no difference in body weight .
  • Moreover, some probiotic microorganisms are natural producers of group B vitamins, and products of their metabolism may also show antibiotic, anticancerogenic, and immunosuppressive properties , which could contribute to the maintenance of beneficial gut bacteria.
  • This review surveys the literature on the microbiome and obesity, emphasizing the clinical relevance of probiotics in treatment strategies.
  • Some probiotics need refrigeration to maintain efficacy, while others are shelf-stable.
After removing duplicate articles (101) from primary recorded studies (325), 224 articles remained to assess their title/abstract and full text. All of the mentioned steps including search, study selection, data extraction, and quality assessment were done by two researchers independently and any disagreement was resolved by discussing until reaching a consensus. The quality of studies was defined as high quality for scores 8–11, average quality for scores 4–7, and poor quality for scores ≤3. The critical appraisal tool entitled Assessment of Multiple Systematic Reviews (AMSTAR) was used for quality assessment of the included studies . Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guideline was used for performing this study . On occasion, side effects of probiotics may result in mild gastrointestinal symptoms, including bloating and gas. Breve reduced body fat mass and body fat percentage in pre-obese adults. Bifidobacterium breve is another probiotic strain that may help reduce body fat.