Synergistic Effects of Probiotics and Lifestyle Interventions on Intestinal Microbiota Composition and Clinical...

Obesity is a growing global epidemic. The composition of the intestinal microbiota can be influenced by several factors. Studies highlight the role of intestinal bacteria in the pathophysiology of obesity.

to investigate whether the use of probiotics, together with healthy lifestyle habits, contributes to intestinal microbiota composition and clinical outcomes in individuals with obesity.

A prospective study was conducted with 45 adults with obesity. Participants underwent guidance on healthy lifestyle habits, received a probiotic component containing different microbiological strains and were followed for 60 days. Clinical parameters, body composition, biochemical analysis, and intestinal microbiota assessment were evaluated before and after treatment.

After 60 days, an analysis of the intestinal microbiota showed an increase in microbial diversity (including alfa and beta) and a better balance between the bacterial phyla Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes. Bacterial strains present in the probiotic were also present in the patients’ intestinal microbiota. A reduction in BMI, fasting glucose, insulin, HOMA-IR, LDL cholesterol, and triglycerides was observed, in addition to an increase in HDL cholesterol, improvement in bowel movement frequency, and stool consistency.

The treatment with probiotics and healthy lifestyle habits contributed to improving the composition of the intestinal microbiota and clinical outcomes individuals with obesity.