Effect of Lactobacillus on body weight and body fat in overweight subjects: a systematic review of randomized controlled clinical trials

Abstract

Gut microbiota is important for maintaining body weight. Modulation of gut microbiota by probiotics may result in weight loss and thus help in obesity treatment. The aim of this systematic review was to evaluate the effects of Lactobacillus on weight loss and/or fat mass in overweight adults. A search was performed on the Medline (PubMed) and Scopus electronic databases using the search terms: 'probiotics', 'Lactobacillus, 'obesity', 'body weight changes', 'weight loss', 'overweight', 'abdominal obesity', 'body composition', 'body weight', 'body fat' and 'fat mass'. In the total were found 1567 articles, but only 14 were included in this systematic review. Of these nine showed decreased body weight and/or body fat, three did not find effect and two showed weight gain. Results suggest that the beneficial effects are strain dependent. It can highlight that Lactobacillus plantarum and Lactobacillus rhamnosus when combined with a hypocaloric diet, L. plantarum with Lactobacillus curvatus, Lactobacillus gasseri, Lactobacillus amylovorus, Lactobacillus acidophilus and Lactobacillus casei with phenolic compounds, and multiple species of Lactobacillus.

Effects of a 6-month multi-strain probiotics supplementation in endotoxemic, inflammatory and cardiometabolic status of T2DM patients: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial

“…The effects of the probiotic supplementation on weight loss was not observed. Other studies have noted changes in weight but these have tended to be when the probiotic is taken as part of a either a hypocaloric diet and/or use of bioactive compounds, factors that were not included in our study [31]. Furthermore, no substantial effect was observed in blood pressure despite the longer duration of treatment in this study.…”

Personalized Gut Mucosal Colonization Resistance to Empiric Probiotics Is Associated with Unique Host and Microbiome Features

“…Similarly, the efficacy of probiotics in treating infections or existing conditions such as cardio-metabolic or inflammatory bowel diseases remains highly debated (Rondanelli et al, 2017, Crovesy et al, 2017, and some studies have even reported probiotics-associated morbidity and mortality (Besselink et al, 2008, Honeycutt et al, 2007, Vogel, 2008. Importantly, adverse effects associated with probiotic consumption may be under-reported in clinical trials (Bafeta et al, 2018).…”

Translating probiotic science into practice

“…Crovesy et al . ) where a few, well‐conducted randomised controlled trials, but no systematic reviews, exist. Only a limited number of studies suggest benefits to dental, heart and skin health.…”