Clinical Nutrition: Lactobacillus supplementation has beneficial effects on glycemic and lipid indices in overweight or obese adults

We know that obesity is often defined as "excessive accumulation of fat that may damage health" and there is growing evidence that obesity plays an increasingly important role in many non-communicable diseases such as hypertension, dyslipidemia, Type 2 diabetes (T2DM), cancer, and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD)
.
Overweight and obesity are strongly associated with increased blood pressure, dyslipidemia, and decreased insulin sensitivity, even in the easily overlooked preclinical stage
.

In addition, the prevalence of obesity in more than 70 countries has doubled since 1980, thus creating an urgent clinical need for effective anti-obesity interventions
.
Obesity is the result of interactions between genetic and environmental factors, including diet, food composition, and lifestyle
.
The composition of the gut microbiota has recently been shown to influence the development of obesity, as it affects the nutritional status of the host by affecting nutrient absorption and regulating energy metabolism
.
One strategy that may enhance the gut microbiota is to take probiotics, which are live microorganisms that, when ingested in sufficient amounts, provide benefits to the host
.
Lactobacillus, one of the best-known probiotic species, has been shown to help prevent intestinal colonization by pathogens, maintain intestinal barrier integrity, and improve insulin secretion and metabolic status
.
The aim of this study was to investigate whether Lactobacillus supplementation could improve metabolic parameters and help prevent various chronic diseases in overweight or obese adults
.

The researchers conducted a literature search of a total of seven electronic databases and two trial registries through April 2022 to identify eligible RCTs to assess the effects of Lactobacillus supplementation in overweight or obese adults
.
Correlation analyses were then performed using random effects models pooled mean differences (MDs) or standardized mean differences
.

A total of 9 eligible RCTs were included in the study, with a total of 598 participants
.
The researchers found that Lactobacillus supplementation significantly reduced LDL cholesterol (MD -5.
27 mg/dL; 95% [CI] -8.
28, -2.
25; P=0.
0006) and total cholesterol (MD -4.
84 mg/dL; 95%) CI -8.
29, -1.
39; P=0.
006), especially when taken in capsule, powder, or tablet form for 12 weeks (≥1 x ¹⁰¹⁰ CFU/day), or as part of a normal diet
.
A good improvement in both fasting blood glucose and triglycerides was observed with Lactobacillus after 12 weeks of supplementation (MD -14.
14 mg/dL; 95% CI -24.
38, -3.
91; P=0.
007)
.
However, Lactobacillus had only short-term beneficial effects on fasting plasma insulin and blood pressure, and no significant beneficial effects on high-density lipoprotein cholesterol
.

This study demonstrated that lactobacillus supplementation had beneficial effects on LDL cholesterol and total cholesterol in overweight or obese adults, and in some conditions fasting blood glucose and triglycerides
.
Therefore, Lactobacillus supplementation is a promising approach for the treatment of obesity-related diseases
.

Original source:

XudongQiu.
et al.
Effects of Lactobacillus supplementation on glycemic and lipid indices in overweight or obese adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
Clinical Nutrition.
2022.