Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 21, 2026
Probiotic Studies in Neonatal Mice Using Gavage
Published on: January 27, 2019
Oral Lactobacillus Counts Predict Weight Gain Susceptibility: A 6-Year Follow-Up Study
Johanne Aviaja Rosing1, Karen Christina Walker, Benjamin A H Jensen
1Department of Public Health, Section for General Practice, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.
Background:
Recent studies have shown an association between weight change and the makeup of the intestinal microbiota in humans. Specifically, Lactobacillus, a part of the entire gastrointestinal tract's microbiota, has been shown to contribute to weight regulation.
Aim:
We examined the association between the level of oral Lactobacillus and the subsequent 6-year weight change in a healthy population of 322 Danish adults aged 35-65 years at baseline.
Design:
Prospective observational study.
Results:
In unadjusted analysis the level of oral Lactobacillus was inversely associated with subsequent 6-year change in BMI. A statistically significant interaction between the baseline level of oral Lactobacillus and the consumption of complex carbohydrates was found, e.g. high oral Lactobacillus count predicted weight loss for those with a low intake of complex carbohydrates, while a medium intake of complex carbohydrates predicted diminished weight gain. A closer examination of these relations showed that BMI change and Lactobacillus level was unrelated for those with high complex carbohydrate consumption.
Conclusion:
A high level of oral Lactobacillus seems related to weight loss among those with medium and low intakes of complex carbohydrates. Absence, or a low level of oral Lactobacillus, may potentially be a novel marker to identify those at increased risk of weight gain.
