Effects of a Diet-Based Weight-Reducing Program with Probiotic Supplementation on Satiety Efficiency, Eating Behaviour Traits, and Psychosocial Behaviours in Obese Individuals

Abstract

This study evaluated the impact of probiotic supplementation (Lactobacillus rhamnosus CGMCC1.3724 (LPR)) on appetite sensations and eating behaviors in the context of a weight-reducing program. Obese men (n = 45) and women (n = 60) participated in a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial that included a 12-week weight loss period (Phase 1) based on moderate energy restriction, followed by 12 weeks of weight maintenance (Phase 2). During the two phases of the program, each subject consumed two capsules per day of either a placebo or a LPR formulation (10 mg of LPR equivalent to 1.6 108 CFU/capsule, 210 mg of oligofructose, and 90 mg of inulin). The LPR supplementation increased weight loss in women that was associated with a greater increase in the fasting desire to eat (p = 0.03). On the other hand, satiety efficiency (satiety quotient for desire to eat) at lunch increased (p = 0.02), whereas disinhibition (p = 0.05) and hunger (p = 0.02) scores decreased more in the LPR-treated women, when compared with the female control group. Additionally, the LPR female group displayed a more pronounced decrease in food craving (p = 0.05), and a decrease in the Beck Depression Inventory score (p = 0.05) that was significantly different from the change noted in the placebo group (p = 0.02), as well as a higher score in the Body Esteem Scale questionnaire (p = 0.06). In men, significant benefits of LPR on fasting fullness and cognitive restraint were also observed. Taken together, these observations lend support to the hypothesis that the gut-brain axis may impact appetite control and related behaviors in obesity management.

Gut microbiota and obesity: Concepts relevant to clinical care

“…Few weight loss studies with pro or prebiotic supplementation have been conducted. There has been a tendency towards greater weight loss and metabolic improvement when probiotics are taken in combination with CR [91][92][93]. Among these, an RCT compared outcomes after 12 weeks of CR in overweight and obese women that were given either a probiotic yogurt or a low-fat yogurt.…”

Effectiveness of a Polyphenolic Extract (Lippia Citriodora and Hibiscus Sabdariffa) on Appetite Regulation in Overweight and Obese Grade I Population: A 8 weeks Randomized, Double-Blind, Cross-Over, Placebo-Controlled Trial

“…The most noticeable effect was an increase in SQ, reducing caloric intake throughout the day. Is important to note that higher values represent greater satiety and lower values less satiety (30). SQ is considered a valid indicator of satiety due to considers the AS before meals and the caloric content of food.…”

Gut Microbiota and Obesity: Prebiotic and Probiotic Effects

“…On the other hand, the use of probiotics is associated with multiple health benefits, which are highly endorsed by the scientific community. So far, the data that associate a specific type of microorganisms with human obesity are not conclusive, since they do not say whether it is the microbiota that plays a cause-effect function of obesity or whether it is the intestinal microbiota that is modulated in response to obesogenic diets and other factors related to the pathogenesis of this condition [28][29][30]37].…”

“…In recent decades and as a result of advances in science, research for 'nontraditional' etiological factors involved in an individual's excessive weight gain has begun [28]. One of these new factors is highlighted in a study on the role of probiotics and their influence on gut microbiota.…”