The PROMAGEN Study: URTI symptoms
A randomised controlled study shows supplementation of overweight and obese adults with Lactobacilli and Bifidobacteria reduces bodyweight and improves wellbeing
SUMMARY
An exploratory, block-randomised, parallel, double-blind, single-centre, placebo-controlled superiority study with 220 overweight and obese adults with BMI 25-34.9. The probiotic group (110) took 50 billion Lab4P probiotics every day for six months and the placebo group (110) took an identical-looking placebo.
The overweight and obese adults supplemented with Lab4P probiotics saw a significant (40%) reduction in the incidence of total upper respiratory infection symptoms.
Supplementation with Lab4P probiotics resulted in significant reductions in the incidence of coughing, sneezing, nasal congestion and headaches.
Aim
This randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study aimed to assess the effect of 6 months’ supplementation with the Lab4P probiotic on body weight, plasma cholesterol and wellbeing in healthy overweight and obese individuals. The impact of the Lab4P probiotic on the URTI symptoms is presented here.
Method
Results
Total URTI symptoms
Significant 40% reduction in the incidence of total URTI symptoms in Group 2 compared to Group 1 (****P< 0.0001, Figure 1).
The URTI symptoms included cough, sneezing, runny nose, blocked nose and sore throat.
Individual URTI symptoms
Significant reduction in the incidence of coughing (- 33%, **P<0.01), sneezing (- 46%, ****P<0001) and blocked nose (- 28%, *P<0.05) in Group 2 compared to Group 1.
Other symptoms: headaches
32% significant reduction in the incidence of headache in Group 2 compared to Group 1 (****P<0001).
Conclusion
Supplementation of overweight and obese adults with the Lab4P probiotic for 6 months resulted in a significant reduction in the incidence of URTI symptoms and headache.
Study links
2020
The PROMAGEN Study: Weight loss and Cholesterol
A randomised controlled study shows supplementation of overweight and obese adults with lactobacilli and bifidobacteria reduces bodyweight and improves well-being
2020
The PROMAGEN Study: Viral pandemic link?
Probiotics reduce self-reported symptoms of upper respiratory tract infection in overweight and obese adults: should we be considering probiotics during viral pandemics?
2020
The PROMAGEN Study: Quality of Life
A randomised controlled study shows supplementation of overweight and obese adults with lactobacilli and bifidobacteria reduces bodyweight and improves well-being
2021
The PROBE Study
Daily supplementation with the Lab4P probiotic consortium induces significant weight loss in overweight adults
