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 .
Probiotics in obese pregnancy do not reduce maternal fasting glucose: a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized trial (Probiotics in Pregnancy Study).
BACKGROUND Recent studies have reported beneficial effects of probiotics on maternal glycemia in healthy pregnant women . Obesity significantly increases risk of impaired glucose tolerance in pregnancy , but glycemic effects of probiotics in this specific obstetric group require additional investigation . OBJECTIVE The aim of the Probiotics in Pregnancy Study was to investigate the effect of a probiotic capsule on maternal fasting glucose in obese pregnant women . DESIGN In this placebo-controlled , double-blind , r and omized trial , 175 pregnant women with an early pregnancy body mass index ( BMI ; in kg/m² ) from 30.0 to 39.9 were recruited from antenatal clinics at the National Maternity Hospital , Dublin , Irel and . Exclusion criteria were BMI < 30.0 or > 39.9 , prepregnancy or gestational diabetes , age < 18 y , multiple pregnancy , and fetal anomaly . Women were r and omly assigned to receive either a daily probiotic or a placebo capsule from 24 to 28 wk of gestation in addition to routine antenatal care . The primary outcome was the change in fasting glucose between groups from preintervention to postintervention . Secondary outcomes were the incidence of gestational diabetes and neonatal anthropometric measures . RESULTS In 138 women who completed the study ( 63 women in the probiotic group ; 75 women in the placebo group ) , mean ( ±SD ) early pregnancy BMI was 33.6 ± 2.6 , which differed significantly between probiotic ( 32.9 ± 2.4 ) and placebo ( 34.1 ± 2.7 ) groups . With adjustment for BMI , the change in maternal fasting glucose did not differ significantly between treated and control groups [ -0.09 ± 0.27 compared with -0.07 ± 0.39 mmol/L ; P = 0.391 ; B = -0.05 ( 95 % CI : -0.17 , 0.07 ) ] . There were also no differences in the incidence of impaired glycemia ( 16 % in the probiotic group compared with 15 % in the placebo group ; P = 0.561 ) , birth weight ( 3.70 kg in the probiotic group compared with 3.68 kg in the placebo group ; P = 0.723 ) , or other metabolic variables or pregnancy outcomes . A secondary analysis of 110 women , excluding antibiotic users and poor compliers , also revealed no differences in maternal glucose or other outcomes between groups . CONCLUSION Probiotic treatment of 4 wk during pregnancy did not influence maternal fasting glucose , the metabolic profile , or pregnancy outcomes in obese women
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 .