Synbiotic Supplementation Facilitates Weight Loss, Improves Lipid Profile and Gut Health in Overweight and Obese Subjects

Abstract

Probiotics have been shown to assist weight loss in overweight people. This study investigated the effects of a synbiotic supplement that comprised a prebiotic and a probiotic on anthropometric and biochemical measures in overweight and obese subjects. The synbiotic supplement used in this study contained Lactobacillus johnsonii No.1088, Bacillus subtilis (BS139), fermented sake lees, and green tea essence. Forty subjects with a body mass index ranging from 27 to 35 were recruited for this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. At baseline and at the end of the 12-week trial, body composition and anthropometric parameter measurements were taken, blood biochemical analyses were performed, and fecal samples of the subjects were examined for gut microbiota diversity. Our results showed the synbiotic supplementation in this study did not affect normal liver and kidney function but significantly reduced body weight, body mass index, and waist and hip circumference. Total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels were also significantly reduced in subjects in the synbiotic supplementation group. Additionally, both fecal culture and urea breath testing showed inhibition of Helicobacter pylori infection in the subjects with synbiotic supplementation. The synbiotic supplementation in our study had promising effects in terms of weight loss, reduction of total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels, and inhibitory activity against H. pylori bacteria.