Synbiotic May Help Reduce Weight Gain

A synbiotic is a mixture of probiotics and prebiotics that are delivered together to the body which help ensure that the probiotics arrive in the gut alive and well. A recent study suggests that supplementation with synbiotics may help obese people avoid weight gain.

Sixteen obese adults participated in the study. They received a supplement containing 1 billion CFUs of Lactobacillus Plantarum, Streptococcus thermophilous, and Bifidobacterium bifidum and 480 mg of Fructooligosaccharide or a placebo daily for 8 weeks. Body mass index (BMI), body weight, and fasting blood glucose levels were evaluated at baseline, the end of the study period, and 4 weeks after ending supplementation.

No participants in the study saw significant changes in BMI or body weight. However, participants in the synbiotic group did not gain any weight, while those in the placebo group gained an average of 7.2 pounds. Fasting blood glucose levels increased significantly in the placebo group, compared to no increase in the synbiotic group.