The Effect of Heat-Killed Lacticaseibacillus paracasei K71 on Abdominal Fat Reduction: A Randomized, Double-Blind,...

It has been confirmed that Lacticaseibacillus paracasei (formerly designated as Lactobacillus paracasei: L. paracasei) K71, a lactic acid bacterium isolated from sakekasu (sake lees) has immunomodulatory and anti-obesity effects. This study aimed to investigate the effect of heat-killed L. paracasei K71 intake on reducing abdominal fat in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group comparative trial. Eighty healthy male and female subjects with a BMI of ≥23 and <30 were selected and randomly assigned to one of two groups, a test food group and a placebo group. Subjects ingested either a test food containing 50 mg (approximately 1×10¹¹ bacteria) of heat-killed L. paracasei K71 or a placebo for 12 wk. Abdominal fat area and volume, as calculated by computed tomography, body weight, BMI, body fat percentage, waist circumference, hip circumference, waist-to-hip ratio, and blood markers were evaluated. In PPS, no significant between-group differences were observed in any item. On the other hand, in subjects with no significant changes in lifestyle, compared with the placebo group, the test food group showed significant decreases in subcutaneous fat area, visceral fat volume, subcutaneous fat volume, body fat percentage, and hip circumference after 12 wk. Moreover, no adverse events due to the test food containing heat-killed L. paracasei K71 were observed during the test period. These results suggest that continuous intake of heat-killed L. paracasei K71 has the effect of reducing abdominal fat in healthy subjects with a high BMI. This trial was registered at UMIN-CTR (UMIN000051324).