"According to new data, women may experience weight-loss benefits from taking a daily probiotic."
A recent study based on previous research showing that intestinal flora of obese individuals is different than those of a healthy weight. Researchers hypothesized that resetting obese individuals’ flora balance with Probiotics could promote healthy bacteria and spur weight loss.
In the double-blind experiment, 125 overweight men and women
were given either two capsules of
probiotic, Labctobacillus rhamnosus or a
placebo daily. All the participants followed a restricted calorie diet for 12
weeks; followed by a diet designed to maintain their current weight for another
12 weeks.
After the initial 12-week period, women taking the placebo
had lost an average of 5.7 pounds, while the women taking the Probiotics lost
an average of 9.7 pounds. There was no difference in average weight loss for
the men in the study. The reason for this is still under investigation. It may
be a question of dosage, or it may be that the study period was too short.
During the maintenance period, women in the placebo group
did not lose any more weight. Those
taking the Probiotics, however, lost an additional 2 plus pounds, for a total
average weight loss of 11.4 pounds over 24 weeks. Additionally, the probiotic
consuming women experienced a drop in the appetite-regulating hormone leptin,
as well as reduction in intestinal bacteria associated with obesity.
