Purpose Probiotic supplements are gaining popularity worldwide. This trend is especially present in females, and a common motivation for consumption is weight loss, no matter the BMI. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of probiotic supplementation on weight loss in healthy, young adult females and to put claims made by manufacturers of such products to the test. Methods The study utilizes a randomized, single-blind, placebo-control design. 53 females aged 19-33 were enrolled, and 38 completed the trial. A 6 week supplementation with Bifidobacterium lactis BS01 and Lactobacillus acidophilus LA02 or placebo was conducted. Anthropometric measures (body mass, BMI, body fat percentage, arm skinfold fat, waist circumference, and WHR) were applied pre and post-treatment. Results No significant changes in anthropometric measures were observed in both supplementation and placebo groups. Conclusion The results of this investigation do not support claims made by probiotic products manufacturers, that they aid weight loss. Our results seem to support an argument that weight loss is mostly associated with food habits and dietary behaviors, not probiotic intake. It is possible that probiotic supplementation may play a facilitating weight loss but has no effect without dietary intervention. Another possible explanation is that due to strain specificity-bacteria strains used in this study are not effective for weight loss. Level of evidence I: randomized controlled trial.

After the success of the Human Genome Project, which lead to estimating the number of human genes at only about 30-40 thousand, researchers started paying attention to a great number of genes present inside and on the surface of the human body. The gastrointestinal tract alone is a habitat for up to 1000 species of bacteria and other microorganisms. These microorganisms add a pool of 2-4 million additional genes. In 2009, a hypothesis was proposed that changes in microbiota are sensed by neurons localized along the entire bowel length, and communicated to the brain, making up the gut-brain axis. The vagus nerve seems to serve as the main communication path. Besides affecting gastrointestinal tract functions, primary neuropsychological studies show that gut microbiota is linked to HPA activity, and thus with arousal regulation and emotional functions. Research also suggests a link to cognitive functions. For now, mechanisms of those connections remain, for the most part, unknown. History of the research on human microbiota shows a complex nature of human functions and the need for integration of knowledge from, as it may seem, distant branches of science, like microbiology and psychology. While connections between microbiota and host organism remain unrecognized, our knowledge of human biology will be incomplete. 1. Human Genome Project. 2. In search for the missing genes. 3. Human Microbiome Project. 4. In search for the structure in infinity. 5. Gut-brain axis, towards neuropsychology. 6. Conclusions Słowa kluczowe: genom człowieka, mikrobiom jelitowy, psycholgia

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Streszczenie: Stygmat osoby z zaburzeniem psychicznym funkcjonuje we wszystkich społeczeństwach od bardzo dawna. Wczesne próby leczenia owych przypadłości różnymi specyfikami nie skutkowały poprawą funkcjonowania chorych. Dopiero rozwój psychofarmakoterapii pozwolił na stosowanie konkretnych substancji w poszczególnych zaburzeniach. Używane od połowy XX wieku związki litu pozostają wciąż standardem, do którego porównywane są wszystkie nowsze leki normotymiczne. Powszechnie stosowane są w chorobie afektywnej dwubiegunowej, działając zarówno na stany maniakalne jak i depresyjne. Wprowadzenie tego leku na rynek farmaceutyczny budziło wiele kontrowersji w środowisku naukowym. Jego wysoka skuteczność w obszarze prewencji samobójstwom oraz w zakresie profilaktyki nawrotów potwierdza efektywność leku, natomiast nie wyklucza występowania skutków ubocznych odstraszających pacjentów.

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