This randomized and placebo-controlled trial examined the effects of a probiotic combination for the management of body weight in 90 subjects with a BMI between 25 and 32 kg/m². The tested combination included Lactobacillus salivarius UBLS-22, Lactobacillus casei UBLC-42, Lactobacillus plantarum UBLP-40, Lactobacillus acidophilus UBLA-34, Bifidobacterium breve UBBr-01, Bacillus coagulans Unique IS2 (5×10⁹ cfu each/capsules) and fructo-oligosaccharide (100 mg/capsules).

After 12 weeks of supplementation with two capsules per day, a significant reduction in BMI has been measured in probiotic-supplemented subjects (95% CI: -0.64 to -0.27, p = 0.0001). Moreover, significant reductions in body weight and waist-to-hip ratio have been also measured (95% CI = -1.16 to -0.50, p < 0.0001 and 985% CI = -0.06 to -.01, p = 0.007 respectively). Body fat, blood lipids and sugar profile have not been affected.

These results demonstrate that a multi-strain probiotic supplement has the ability to reduce body weight and BMI in overweight and obese subjects.

Sudha MR, Ahire JJ, Jayanthi N, Tripathi A, Nanal S. Effect of multi-strain probiotic (UB0316) in weight management in overweight/obese adults: a 12-week double blind, randomised, placebo-controlled study. Benef Microbes. 2019 Dec 9;10(8):855-866.