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 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.
Lab4P probiotic supplementation significantly reduced bodyweight by 1.5% in the overweight and obese adults with no changes to diet or lifestyle.
A greater reduction in bodyweight loss was observed in the overweight adults (1.9%), adults over 50 years old (2%) and adults with high cholesterol levels (2.5%).
The levels of atherogenic small dense LDL cholesterol were significantly reduced in hypercholesterolaemic overweight and obese adults supplemented with Lab4P probiotics.
Aim
This randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study aimed to assess the effect of 6-months’ supplementation with the Lab4P probiotic on body weight and wellbeing in healthy overweight and obese individuals.
Method
Results
Body weight, BMI and Waist Circumference
Lab4P probiotic supplementation (Group 2) resulted in significant weight loss compared to Group 1 (Fig. 1):
– A difference of -1.3kg in the total population (****P< 0.0001)
– A difference of -1.4kg in the overweight participants (****P< 0.0001)
– A difference of -1.76kg in the over 50 year olds (***P< 0.001)
– A difference of -2.1kg in the hypercholesteraemic participants (****P< 0.0001)
Significant reductions in BMI, waist circumference and waist-to-height ratio were also observed in each of the above populations.
Greater rates of weight loss were observed in the overweight participants compared to the obese (1.9% vs. 1.2% reduction) and in women compared to men (1.6 vs. 1.4% reduction).
Plasma Cholesterol levels in hypercholesterolaemic participants (total cholesterol > 6.2 mmol/l)
A significant reduction of 17.6% in the plasma levels of atherogenic small dense LDL-cholesterol (sdLDL-C) was observed in hypercholesterolaemic participants taking Lab4P probiotics (Group 2a) compared to Group 1a (*P<0.05). The plasma LDL-C levels were reduced by 6.59%.
Conclusion
Study links
2016
Lactobacillus plantarum CUL66 and Cholesterol Study
Lactobacillus plantarum CUL66 can impact cholesterol homeostasis in Caco-2 enterocytes
2016
Lactobacillus plantarum CUL66 and Cholesterol Study
Lactobacillus plantarum CUL66 can impact cholesterol homeostasis in Caco-2 enterocytes
2017
Lab4P and Cholesterol Study
The anti-cholesterolaemic effect of a consortium of probiotics: An acute study in C57BL/6J mice (Part 2)
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: URTI Symptoms
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: 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
