Is It Time to Use Probiotics to Prevent or Treat Obesity?

Abstract

In recent years, attention has been given to the role potentially played by gut microbiota in the development of obesity. Several studies have shown that in individuals with obesity, the gut microbiota composition can be significantly different from that of lean individuals, that faecal bacteria can exert a fundamental role in modulating energy metabolism, and that modifications of gut microbiota composition can be associated with increases or reductions of body weight and body mass index. Based on this evidence, manipulation of the gut microbiota with probiotics has been considered a possible method to prevent and treat obesity. However, despite a great amount of data, the use of probiotics to prevent and treat obesity and related problems remains debated. Studies have found that the probiotic effect on body weight and metabolism is strain specific and that only some of the species included in the Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium genera are effective, whereas the use of other strains can be deleterious. However, the dosage, duration of administration, and long-term effects of probiotics administration to prevent overweight and obesity are not known. Further studies are needed before probiotics can be rationally prescribed for the prevention or treatment of obesity. Control of the diet and environmental and life-style factors that favour obesity development remain the best solution to problems related to weight gain.

Microbiota‐dependent and ‐independent effects of dietary fibre on human health

“…Other in vivo studies with dietary fibres using germ-free mice highlighted the importance of the microbiota to maintain gut homeostasis and to prevent diseases (Charbonneau et al, 2016;Turnbaugh et al, 2009). Ortega-Gonzalez et al, 2014;Vogt et al, 2013;Vogt et al, 2014;Vogt et al, 2017;Zehra et al, 2018 ;Zenhom, Hyder, de Vrese, et al, 2011) Resistant starches (α-glucan-based) (Gill, Rutherfurd, & Cross, 2001), stimulate brain functions (Mayer, Tillisch, & Gupta, 2015), modulate metabolism (Brusaferro et al, 2018) and antagonize intestinal pathogens (Servin, 2004 Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus spp. have been shown to improve intestinal epithelial barrier function (Madsen et al, 2001).…”

Study of faecal parameters and body condition in dogs with a diet supplemented with Lactobacillus acidophilus D2/CSL (CECT 4529)

“…Here, the reduction of positive bacteria increases the presence of pro-inflammatory and pathogenic ones in the gut. As a consequence, dysbiosis has been found associated with the development of both intestinal and non-intestinal diseases (Carding et al 2015;Brusaferro et al 2018). Each animal species has specie-specific microbiota, and both genetic and environmental factors result in havinge significant impacts on the structure and composition of the gut microbiota.…”

Dietary Lactobacillus plantarum LS/07 and inulin in the management of chronic disease risk factors

“…It is possible, that supplementary high fat diet with PRO and PRE suppressed weight gain through butyric acid production. Propionate is dominated by relatively few bacterial genera, among which Akkermansia municiphila is the most important one (Brusaferro et al, 2018). High fat diet decreases the level of A. municiphila.…”

“…Of these, cardiovascular disease is the most common cause of death (Bomba et al, 2015). Dietary strategies that modulate the microbiota or its metabolic activity are emerging as effective tools for reducing risk factors for cardiovascular disease and indicate that indeed the way to a healthy heart may be through a healthy gut microbiota (Tuohy et al, 2014;Brusaferro et al, 2018). Many observations raise the intriguing possibility that gut microbiome modulation by prebiotics and probiotics may be the base of healthy eating pyramids recommended by regulatory agencies across the globe.…”