Effect of Lactobacillus on body weight and body fat in overweight subjects: a systematic review of randomized controlled clinical trials

2017-07-10
International Journal of Obesity 41(11)
- Louise Crovesy
- M. Ostrowski
- D. M. Ferreira
- E. L. Rosado
- Marcia Soares-Mota

PubMed: 28792488
DOI: 10.1038/ijo.2017.161

Study Design

Type: Systematic Review
Methods: Systematic Review

Highly Cited

Abstract

Gut microbiota is important for maintaining body weight. Modulation of gut microbiota by probiotics may result in weight loss and thus help in obesity treatment. The aim of this systematic review was to evaluate the effects of Lactobacillus on weight loss and/or fat mass in overweight adults. A search was performed on the Medline (PubMed) and Scopus electronic databases using the search terms: 'probiotics', 'Lactobacillus, 'obesity', 'body weight changes', 'weight loss', 'overweight', 'abdominal obesity', 'body composition', 'body weight', 'body fat' and 'fat mass'. In the total were found 1567 articles, but only 14 were included in this systematic review. Of these nine showed decreased body weight and/or body fat, three did not find effect and two showed weight gain. Results suggest that the beneficial effects are strain dependent. It can highlight that Lactobacillus plantarum and Lactobacillus rhamnosus when combined with a hypocaloric diet, L. plantarum with Lactobacillus curvatus, Lactobacillus gasseri, Lactobacillus amylovorus, Lactobacillus acidophilus and Lactobacillus casei with phenolic compounds, and multiple species of Lactobacillus.

Research Insights

Lactobacillus acidophilus→Reduced Body Fat
Of these nine showed decreased body weight and/or body fat... Lactobacillus plantarum and Lactobacillus rhamnosus when combined with a hypocaloric diet, L. plantarum with Lactobacillus curvatus...
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Small
Lactobacillus acidophilus→Reduced Body Weight
In the total were found 1567 articles, but only 14 were included in this systematic review. Of these nine showed decreased body weight and/or body fat... Lactobacillus amylovorus.
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Moderate
Lactobacillus amylovorus→Reduced Body Fat
Of these nine showed decreased body weight and/or body fat... Lactobacillus plantarum and Lactobacillus rhamnosus when combined with a hypocaloric diet, L. plantarum with Lactobacillus curvatus...
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Small
Lactobacillus amylovorus→Reduced Body Weight
In the total were found 1567 articles, but only 14 were included in this systematic review. Of these nine showed decreased body weight and/or body fat... Lactobacillus amylovorus.
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Moderate
Lactobacillus casei→Reduced Body Fat
Of these nine showed decreased body weight and/or body fat... Lactobacillus plantarum and Lactobacillus rhamnosus when combined with a hypocaloric diet, L. plantarum with Lactobacillus curvatus...
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Small
Lactobacillus casei→Reduced Body Weight
In the total were found 1567 articles, but only 14 were included in this systematic review. Of these nine showed decreased body weight and/or body fat... Lactobacillus amylovorus.
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Moderate
Lactobacillus curvatus→Reduced Body Fat
Of these nine showed decreased body weight and/or body fat... Lactobacillus plantarum and Lactobacillus rhamnosus when combined with a hypocaloric diet, L. plantarum with Lactobacillus curvatus...
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Small
Lactobacillus curvatus→Reduced Body Weight
In the total were found 1567 articles, but only 14 were included in this systematic review. Of these nine showed decreased body weight and/or body fat... Lactobacillus amylovorus.
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Moderate
Lactobacillus gasseri→Reduced Body Fat
Of these nine showed decreased body weight and/or body fat... Lactobacillus plantarum and Lactobacillus rhamnosus when combined with a hypocaloric diet, L. plantarum with Lactobacillus curvatus...
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Small
Lactobacillus gasseri→Reduced Body Weight
In the total were found 1567 articles, but only 14 were included in this systematic review. Of these nine showed decreased body weight and/or body fat... Lactobacillus amylovorus.
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Moderate
Lactobacillus plantarum→Reduced Body Fat
Of these nine showed decreased body weight and/or body fat... Lactobacillus plantarum and Lactobacillus rhamnosus when combined with a hypocaloric diet, L. plantarum with Lactobacillus curvatus...
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Small
Lactobacillus plantarum→Reduced Body Weight
In the total were found 1567 articles, but only 14 were included in this systematic review. Of these nine showed decreased body weight and/or body fat... Lactobacillus amylovorus.
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Moderate
Lactobacillus rhamnosus→Reduced Body Weight
In the total were found 1567 articles, but only 14 were included in this systematic review. Of these nine showed decreased body weight and/or body fat... Lactobacillus amylovorus.
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Moderate