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Current Obesity Reports
Published in: Current Obesity Reports 3/2020

01-09-2020 | Obesity | Metabolism (CM Apovian, Section Editor)

Probiotics, Prebiotics, Synbiotics, Postbiotics, and Obesity: Current Evidence, Controversies, and Perspectives

Authors: Natalia Vallianou, Theodora Stratigou, Gerasimos Socrates Christodoulatos, Christina Tsigalou, Maria Dalamaga

Published in: Current Obesity Reports | Issue 3/2020

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Abstract

Purpose of Review

In this review, we summarize current evidence on gut microbiome and obesity; we discuss the role of probiotics, prebiotics, synbiotics, and postbiotics in obesity prevention and management; and we highlight and analyze main limitations, challenges, and controversies of their use.

Recent Findings

Overall, the majority of animal studies and meta-analyses of human studies examining the use of probiotics and synbiotics in obesity has shown their beneficial effects on weight reduction and other metabolic parameters via their involvement in gut microbiota modulation. Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus strains are still the most widely used probiotics in functional foods and dietary supplements, but next generation probiotics, such as Faecalibacterium prausnitzii, Akkermansia muciniphila, or Clostridia strains, have demonstrated promising results. On the contrary, meta-analyses of human studies on the use of prebiotics in obesity have yielded contradictory results. In animal studies, postbiotics, mainly short-chain fatty acids, may increase energy expenditure through induction of thermogenesis in brown adipose tissue as well as browning of the white adipose tissue. The main limitations of studies on biotics in obesity include the paucity of human studies; heterogeneity among the studied subgroups regarding age, gender, and lifestyle; and use of different agents with potential therapeutic effects in different formulations, doses, ratio and different pharmacodynamics/pharmacokinetics. In terms of safety, the supplementation with prebiotics, probiotics, and synbiotics has not been associated with serious adverse effects among immune-competent individuals, with the exception of the use of probiotics and synbiotics in immunocompromised patients.

Summary

Further large-scale Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs) in humans are required to evaluate the beneficial properties of probiotics, prebiotics, synbiotics, and postbiotics; their ideal dose; the duration of supplementation; and the durability of their beneficial effects as well as their safety profile in the prevention and management of obesity.
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Metadata
Title
Probiotics, Prebiotics, Synbiotics, Postbiotics, and Obesity: Current Evidence, Controversies, and Perspectives
Authors
Natalia Vallianou
Theodora Stratigou
Gerasimos Socrates Christodoulatos
Christina Tsigalou
Maria Dalamaga
Publication date
01-09-2020
Publisher
Springer US
Published in
Current Obesity Reports / Issue 3/2020
Electronic ISSN: 2162-4968
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s13679-020-00379-w

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Current Obesity Reports 3/2020 Go to the issue

Metabolism (M Dalamaga, Section Editor)

Polycystic ovary Syndrome in Adolescents: Pitfalls in Diagnosis and Management

Metabolism (M Dalamaga, Section Editor)

Omics Biomarkers in Obesity: Novel Etiological Insights and Targets for Precision Prevention

Metabolism (M Dalamaga, Section Editor)

Childhood Obesity and Cancer Risk in Adulthood

Metabolism (M Dalamaga, Section Editor)

Protein-Rich Diets for Weight Loss Maintenance

Etiology of Obesity (M Rosenbaum, Section Editor)

Socioeconomics of Obesity

Metabolism (M Dalamaga, Section Editor)

Is There an Obesity Paradox in Critical Illness? Epidemiologic and Metabolic Considerations
Live Webinar | 27-06-2024 | 18:00 (CEST)

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Obesity Clinical Trial Summary

At a glance: The STEP trials

Read more

A round-up of the STEP phase 3 clinical trials evaluating semaglutide for weight loss in people with overweight or obesity.

Developed by: Springer Medicine

Highlights from the ACC 2024 Congress

Year in Review: Pediatric cardiology

Pediatric Cardiology Video

Watch Dr. Anne Marie Valente present the last year's highlights in pediatric and congenital heart disease in the official ACC.24 Year in Review session.

Year in Review: Pulmonary vascular disease

Cardiopulmonary Comorbidity Video

The last year's highlights in pulmonary vascular disease are presented by Dr. Jane Leopold in this official video from ACC.24.

Year in Review: Valvular heart disease

Valvular Heart Disease Video

Watch Prof. William Zoghbi present the last year's highlights in valvular heart disease from the official ACC.24 Year in Review session.

Year in Review: Heart failure and cardiomyopathies

Heart Failure Video

Watch this official video from ACC.24. Dr. Biykem Bozkurt discusses last year's major advances in heart failure and cardiomyopathies.

ACC 2024 Congress Coverage

Year in Review: Heart failure and cardiomyopathies

Heart Failure Video

Watch this official video from ACC.24. Dr. Biykem Bozkurt discusses last year's major advances in heart failure and cardiomyopathies.

Watch now

Semaglutide benefits people with type 2 diabetes and obesity-related heart failure

16-04-2024 Type 2 Diabetes News

Incentivised to exercise

11-04-2024 Lifestyle Modifications News

New intervention for STEMI-related cardiogenic shock

10-04-2024 Myocardial Infarction News

» View more highlights on the ACC 2024 congress hub page

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