A new study published in EBioMedicine found that Bifidobacterium animalis ssp. lactis 420™—alone or in combination with the prebiotic fiber Litesse® Ultra™ Polydextrose—reduced body fat mass, trunk fat mass, waist circumference and energy intake compared to placebo in those participants who adhered to the study protocol over the six-month intervention.

The study titled, “Probiotic alone and in combination with a fiber controls body fat mass, associated with serum zonulin, in overweight and obese adults-randomized controlled trial,” was conducted in a population of 225 healthy adults.

The double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, multicenter six-month trial demonstrated the probiotic and synbiotic (fiber plus probiotic combination) seem to control body fat mass, especially in the abdominal area in overweight adults. The probiotic and synbiotic treatment groups both demonstrated reduced energy intake during the trial and reduced waist circumference.

“The potential influence of the gut microbiota on the regulation of body weight and shape is an exciting area right now,” says Megan DeStefano, Probiotics global marketing lead at DuPont Nutrition & Health. “Around the world, consumers are seeking natural support for weight management. In DuPont proprietary market research, we have identified that 57% of the global population are confused about what they should eat and what will help them achieve weight goals without making major lifestyle changes1. We believe this product will give our customers a great market opportunity.”

Of particular interest, the improvements in waist measurements observed in this study equate to a reduction in one waist size of pants.

Study volunteers were randomized into one of four groups and asked to consume the study product daily for six months. Subjects consumed either Placebo, microcrystalline cellulose, 12 g/d, the prebiotic fiber Litesse® Ultra™ polydextrose, 12 g/d, DuPont proprietary strain of probiotic Bifidobacterium lactis 420™, 1010 CFU/d in microcrystalline cellulose, 12 g/d, or the combination of the prebiotic fiber and the probiotic strain.

This study assessed changes in fat and lean tissue using a precise tool, dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, for analysis of body composition to detect changes in different regions of the body. Both the probiotic and synbiotic products helped control body fat mass, leading to an approximately 1.4 kg difference compared to placebo in those participants who adhered to the study protocol. Only the consumption of the combination of Bifidobacterium lactis 420™ with Litesse® Ultra™ polydextrose led to improvements in lean body mass.

“This is the first study to translate findings from studies of the probiotic strain Bifidobacterium lactis 420™ done in animal models in which it was shown the probiotic can improve metabolic health in mice by strengthening gut barrier function,” says Lotta Stenman, PhD., lead investigator on the preclinical and clinical trials, with DuPont Nutrition & Health. “There is a long history of research on this particular probiotic strain, starting from initial findings from cell culture studies published in 2008. It is exciting to see the extensive preclinical and mechanistic work paved the way for identifying a benefit to human health.”

The study was conducted following Good Clinical Practice guidelines at four research clinics in Finland. DuPont Nutrition & Health will continue to conduct research on the role of probiotic and prebiotic supplementation on gut microbiota and outcomes related to obesity and metabolic syndrome, conditions that currently affect over a third of the global population.

DuPont Nutrition & Health combines in-depth knowledge of food and nutrition with current research and expert science to deliver unmatched value to the food, beverage and dietary supplement industries. We are innovative solvers, drawing on deep consumer insights and a broad product portfolio to help our customers turn challenges into high-value business opportunities.

More information is available at www.food.dupont.com.

DuPont (NYSE: DD) has been bringing world-class science and engineering to the global marketplace in the form of innovative products, materials, and services since 1802. The company believes that by collaborating with customers, governments, NGOs, and thought leaders we can help find solutions to such global challenges as providing enough healthy food for people everywhere, decreasing dependence on fossil fuels, and protecting life and the environment. For additional information about DuPont and its commitment to inclusive innovation, please visit www.dupont.com.

1 Source: HealthFocus, Intl., DuPont Weight Management and Sports Nutrition Global Segmentation Analysis, Oct. 2014

Citation: Stenman, Lotta K., Lehtinen, Markus J., Meland, Nils, Christensen, Jeffrey E., Yeung, Nicolas, Saarinen, Markku T., Courtney, Michael, Burcelin, R´emy, L¨ahdeaho, Marja-Leena, Linros, Juri, Apter, Dan, Scheinin, Mika, Smerud, Hilde Kloster, Rissanen, Aila, Lahtinen, Sampo, Probiotic With or Without Fiber Controls Body Fat Mass, Associated With Serum Zonulin, in Overweight and Obese Adults—Randomized Controlled Trial, EBioMedicine (2016), doi: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2016.10.036