Impact of Probiotic Lactobacillus plantarum GKM3 on Gastrointestinal Health in Overweight and Obese Individuals: A Randomized Clinical Trial
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS
Overweight and obesity, usually resulting from excess calorie intake, pose significant health challenges in modern societies and contribute to the development of chronic metabolic disorders. Gut microbes have been recognized as key regulators of energy utilization and gastrointestinal health. In this study, we investigated the effects of probiotics Lactobacillus plantarum strain GKM3 on overweight and obese subjects in a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial.
METHODS
Participants, aged 20-40 with body mass index between 25.0-29.9 and body fat percentages over 25% for males and 30% for females, were divided into a placebo group (n=19) and a probioitcs group (n=40), receiving capsules containing either a placebo or the probiotics GKM3 for four weeks.
RESULTS
Our findings demonstrated that supplementation with strain GKM3 at 1g per day over the 4-week period significantly increased bowel movement frequency and alleviated symptoms such as gastroesophageal reflux, nausea, abdominal pain, and constipation. Fecal lipid analysis revealed elevated levels of triglycerides and total cholesterol compared to the placebo group. Microbiota analysis showed a significant reduction in obesity-associated taxa (Alcaligenaceae, Fusobacteriaceae, Acidaminococcus, Fusobacterium, and Megamonas) and an increase in beneficial genera (Akkermansia and Lactobacillus) following probiotic intervention.
CONCLUSION
Our study suggests that the strain GKM3 modulates gut…
How strong is the evidence?
Evidence Hub reads this as a randomized trial, done in people. Its evidence level is 2 of 5 (High · randomized trial). Randomized trials of a reasonable size are the strongest single-study design. Reported size: 40 participants or records.
Read the paper
Related studies
- Chaos and quantum thermalization
- The Dalton quantum chemistry program system
- Cord Blood Leptin and Adiponectin as Predictors of Adiposity in Children at 3 Years of Age: A Prospective Cohort Study
- Quantitative metabolomics by H-NMR and LC-MS/MS confirms altered metabolic pathways in diabetes
- Stable adiabatic quantum batteries
- A novel self-lipid antigen targets human T cells against CD1c(+) leukemias
Go deeper in Evidence Hub
Evidence Hub adds a study data sheet (design, sample size, evidence level, key numbers), an AI summary and a chat grounded in the paper's text.