the addition of probiotic consumption to a nutritional intervention and caloric restriction on body weight and composition in overweight participants

Conditions: Obesity

Summary: limited interventional human studies suggest that probiotic supplementation may be a beneficial strategy for promoting weight loss when added to a nutritional intervention via their effects on lipid absorption and metabolic signaling molecules. the purpose of this study is to evaluate the effects of addition of a probiotic supplementation to a weight loss intervention on body weight, body composition and overall health in overweight adults.


Eligibility criteria:
inclusion criteria: * aged 18 to 55 years * bmi between 27.0 and 39.9 kg/m2 * sedentary to moderate active (less than 30 minutes of physical activity, 3 times per week) * willingness to complete questionnaires, records, and diaries associated with the study and to complete all study visits * willingness to discontinue consumption of fermented foods or probiotics (e.g. yoghourts, with live, active cultures or supplements), laxatives, prebiotics and any substance for body weight control * willingness and ability to provide informed consent in french * willingness to receive random assignment to probiotic or placebo supplementation * committed to losing weight over the 12-week study period exclusion criteria: * smokers * use of another investigational product within three months of the pre-baseline period. * known to be pregnant or breast-feeding or planning on becoming pregnant in the next 18 months. * women of child-bearing potential not using effective contraception which include: * hormonal contraceptives including combined oral contraceptives, hormone birth control patch, vaginal contraceptive ring, injectable contraceptives, or hormonal implants * intrauterine devices (iud) or intrauterine system (ius) * tubal ligation * vasectomy of partner * double barrier method (use of physical barrier by both partners, e.g. male condom and diaphragm, male condom and cervical cap) * positive pregnancy test in women of child-bearing potential * menopausal women * allergic to milk, soy, or yeast * weight gain or loss of at least 10 lbs in previous three months * inflammatory bowel syndrome, celiac disease, short bowel syndrome, or any other malabsorptive syndrome * uncontrolled angina within the past six months * insulin-dependent diabetes (oral medications are not exclusionary) * serious and/or unstable medical conditions (e.g. cardiovascular, renal, lung, psychiatric illness, bleeding disorders, etc.) * cancer treatment (radiation, chemotherapy, surgery) within past six months or any other treatment or condition known to weaken the immune system (such as systemic corticosteroids or hiviaids). * any physical condition deemed likely to significantly interfere with individuals' ability to participate in a nutritional intervention. * currently or at any point during the study participating in weight watcher's or another weight loss program or taking a medication for weight loss. * under antibiotics or treatments (medication or nutritional program) affecting body weight intake and/or energy expenditure * history of drug or alcohol (\> 9 drinks weekly) abuse * abnormal thyroid hormone levels * immune-compromised conditions * participant experiencing nausea, fever, vomiting, bloody diarrhoea or severe abdominal pain