A greater reduction in BMI was found with multiple species of probiotics .
Consuming probiotics  could reduce body weight and BMI , with a potentially greater effect when multiple species of probiotics were consumed , the duration of intervention was ≥8 weeks , or the objects were overweight
OBJECTIVE To assess the efficacy of probiotic therapies on body weight and BMI  using a meta- analysis of r and omized , controlled trials .
Consumption of Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium longum do not alter urinary equol excretion and plasma reproductive hormones in premenopausal women
Objective : To confirm the results of an earlier study showing premenopausal equol excretors to have hormone profiles associated with reduced breast cancer risk , and to investigate whether equol excretion status and plasma hormone concentrations can be influenced by consumption of probiotics . Design : A r and omized , single-blinded , placebo-controlled , parallel-arm trial . Subjects : In all , 34 of the initially enrolled 37 subjects completed all requirements . Intervention : All subjects were followed for two full menstrual cycles and the first seven days of a third cycle . During menstrual cycle 1 , plasma concentrations of estradiol ( E2 ) , estrone ( E1 ) , estrone-sulfate ( E1-S ) , testosterone ( T ) , and rostenedione ( A ) , dehydroepi and rosterone-sulfate ( DHEA-S ) , and sex-hormone-binding globulin ( SHBG ) were measured on cycle day 2 , 3 , or 4 , and urinary equol measured on day 7 after a 4-day soy challenge . Subjects then received either probiotic capsules ( containing Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium longum ) or placebo capsules through day 7 of menstrual cycle 3 , at which time both the plasma hormone concentrations and the post-soy challenge urinary equol measurements were repeated . Results : During menstrual cycle 1 , equol excretors and non-excretors were not significantly different with respect to subject characteristics , diet , or hormone concentrations . Significant inverse correlations were found between E2 and body mass index ( BMI ) ( P=0.02 ) , SHBG and BMI ( P=0.01 ) , DHEA-S and dietary fiber ( P=0.04 ) , and A and protein : carbohydrate ratio ( P=0.02 ) . Probiotic consumption failed to significantly alter equol excretor status or hormone concentrations during menstrual cycle 3 , although there were trends towards decreased concentrations of T ( P=0.14 ) and SHBG ( P=0.10 ) in the probiotic group . Conclusions : We were unable to verify a previously reported finding of premenopausal equol excretors having plasma hormone concentrations different from those of nonexcretors . Furthermore , a 2-month intervention with probiotic capsules did not significantly alter equol excretion or plasma hormone concentrations
A greater reduction in BMI was found with multiple species of probiotics .
Consuming probiotics  could reduce body weight and BMI , with a potentially greater effect when multiple species of probiotics were consumed , the duration of intervention was ≥8 weeks , or the objects were overweight
OBJECTIVE To assess the efficacy of probiotic therapies on body weight and BMI  using a meta- analysis of r and omized , controlled trials .