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Influence of a multistrain probiotic on body composition and mood in female occupational shift workers
Abbie E Smith-Ryan1,2, Meredith G Mock1, Eric T Trexler1,2
1a Applied Physiology Laboratory, Department of Exercise and Sport Science, The University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA.
Abstract:
This study sought to investigate the effects of a multistrain probiotic on body composition, regional adiposity, and a series of associated metabolic health outcomes. Female health care workers employed on a rotating-shift schedule (n = 41) completed baseline anthropometric assessments; a fasted blood draw; questionnaires to assess anxiety, depression (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale), and fatigue (Chalder Fatigue Survey); and an exercise fatigue test. Identical post-tests occurred following 6 weeks of daily supplementation with placebo (PLA) or probiotics (2.5 × 109 CFU/g) containing 9 bacterial strains (PRO; Ecologic Barrier) combined with a prebiotic carrier matrix. PRO attenuated fat mass increases (change (Δ), 0.14 kg; confidence interval (CI) -0.46 to 0.75 kg) compared with PLA (Δ, 0.79 kg; CI 0.03-1.54 kg), whereas modest reductions in visceral adiposity resulted for both PRO and PLA. Metabolic biomarkers (total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein, glucose, adiponectin, C-reactive protein, interleukin-6, leptin) were not influenced by either treatment (p > 0.05). Nonsignificant, but potentially clinically relevant, improvements in anxiety (Δ, -2.3 ± 2.63) and fatigue (Δ, -4.8 ± 5.5) were observed with PRO; exercise performance was unaffected. Results indicate a potential protective effect of probiotics against fat mass gain. Probiotics may alleviate anxiety and fatigue in shift-working females.
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