L. Rhamnosus Boosts Weight Loss in Obese Women

observational-study PMID: 24299712

L. Rhamnosus Boosts Weight Loss in Obese Women

Quick Summary: A 2014 study tested if Lactobacillus rhamnosus CGMCC1.3724 (a helpful gut bacteria) helps obese adults lose weight and keep it off. Women taking it lost more weight and fat than those on a placebo, especially during the maintenance phase, while men saw no big difference. This probiotic mix, paired with a calorie-cut diet, supported ongoing weight loss in women.

What the Research Found

Researchers discovered that this specific strain of Lactobacillus rhamnosus, called LPR, made a real difference for women's weight loss but not men's. Here's what stood out:

Weight loss in the first 12 weeks: Women on LPR lost about 4.4 kg (9.7 lbs), compared to 2.6 kg (5.7 lbs) for those on placebo. That's a meaningful boost from the probiotic.
During the next 12 weeks (maintenance phase): LPR women kept losing weight (another 2.6 kg or 5.7 lbs) and fat, while placebo women gained a little (0.6 kg or 1.3 lbs). Total loss for LPR women reached around 7 kg (15.4 lbs) over 24 weeks.
Fat and hormone changes: LPR women shed more body fat (3.3 kg vs. 1.8 kg) and had bigger drops in leptin—a hunger hormone that dropped 39% vs. 18% in the placebo group.
Gut bacteria link: The probiotic shifted gut microbes, lowering levels of Lachnospiraceae bacteria in women's stool, which tied into their better weight results. (Lachnospiraceae are a family of gut bacteria; less of them here seemed to help with fat loss.)
Men's results: No clear edge for LPR—both groups lost similar amounts, and maintenance was steady without big changes.

Overall, the study showed LPR helps obese women achieve lasting weight loss when combined with diet tweaks, thanks to its effects on fat, hormones, and gut health.

Study Details

This was a solid, controlled experiment to test real-world effects.

Who was studied: 125 obese adults (BMI of 30 or higher, meaning significantly overweight), mostly women (106 women, 19 men) aged around 40-50. All were healthy otherwise, with no major gut issues.
How long: 24 weeks total—first 12 weeks focused on losing weight with a reduced-calorie diet, then 12 weeks to maintain that loss without strict dieting.
What they took: Participants swallowed two capsules daily (one at breakfast, one at dinner). The LPR group got capsules with 320 million live LPR bacteria (that's 1.6 × 10^8 colony-forming units per capsule) plus prebiotic fibers like oligofructose and inulin to feed the good bacteria. The placebo group got fake capsules with just maltodextrin (a harmless filler). Everyone followed a 500-calorie daily deficit diet in phase one.

The trial was double-blind (neither participants nor researchers knew who got the real stuff) and randomized (fairly split into groups) for trustworthy results. About 110 people finished it.

What This Means For You

If you're an obese woman looking to lose weight, this study suggests adding a Lactobacillus rhamnosus probiotic like LPR to your routine could amp up results from a sensible calorie-cut diet. You might lose more fat, keep hunger in check via lower leptin, and maintain progress without rebound gain—especially if gut health plays a role in your struggles.

Try it if: You're dieting and want gut support; look for supplements with this exact strain (CGMCC1.3724) plus prebiotics like inulin.
Pair with basics: Combine with moderate exercise and a 500-calorie deficit (e.g., smaller portions) for best shot at sustainable loss.
For men: This didn't help much, so stick to proven diet and activity plans—probiotics might work differently for you.
General tip: Always chat with a doctor before starting probiotics, especially if you have gut conditions. Results aren't guaranteed, but this points to sex-specific benefits worth exploring.

Study Limitations

No study is perfect—here's what to watch for:

Main results were for women only: The overall group (including men) showed no big difference, so the women's benefits need more studies to confirm.
Combo effect: The capsules included prebiotic fibers, so it's unclear if LPR alone did the work or if the mix was key.
Mostly women: With 85% female participants, we can't say much about men or diverse groups (e.g., different ages, ethnicities).
Diet tracking issues: People self-reported food intake, which can be inaccurate and affect reliability.
Gut link is early: The bacteria changes look promising but aren't proven to cause the weight loss—more research needed.

Source: 2014 Study on PubMed

Key Findings

Lactobacillus rhamnosus CGMCC1.3724 (LPR) supplementation significantly enhanced weight loss in obese women but not men. Women in the LPR group lost 4.4 kg (±1.0) during the 12-week weight-loss phase versus 2.6 kg (±1.0) in the placebo group (P = 0.02). During the 12-week maintenance phase, LPR women continued losing weight (-2.6 kg ± 1.1) while placebo women regained 0.6 kg (P < 0.05). Fat mass reduction mirrored these trends, with LPR women showing greater decreases (-3.3 kg vs. -1.8 kg, P = 0.03). Leptin levels dropped 39% in LPR women versus 18% in placebo (P = 0.01). Fecal microbiota analysis linked LPR efficacy to reduced Lachnospiraceae family bacteria abundance. No significant effects were observed in men.

Study Design

This was a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized clinical trial conducted over 24 weeks (12-week weight-loss phase + 12-week maintenance). The study included 125 obese adults (BMI ≥30 kg/m²; 106 women, 19 men), with 110 completing the trial. Participants followed a moderate energy-restricted diet (500 kcal/day deficit) for the first 12 weeks, then a weight-maintenance diet. Outcomes were analyzed via intention-to-treat and per-protocol methods.

Dosage & Administration

Subjects consumed two capsules daily of either:
- LPR group: 1.6 × 10⁸ colony-forming units (CFU)/capsule of Lactobacillus rhamnosus CGMCC1.3724 combined with oligofructose and inulin.
- Placebo group: Maltodextrin-filled capsules.
Capsules were taken with meals (breakfast and dinner). The formulation included prebiotic fibers (oligofructose/inulin) as carriers, which may have influenced gut microbiota interactions.

Results & Efficacy

Weight loss (12 weeks):
LPR women: -4.4 kg (±1.0) vs. placebo women: -2.6 kg (±1.0) (P = 0.02).
Men: No significant difference (-3.1 kg vs. -1.8 kg, P = 0.53).
Weight maintenance (24 weeks):
LPR women: Continued fat loss (-2.6 kg) vs. placebo women: +0.6 kg (P < 0.05).
Men: No between-group differences.
Leptin: LPR women showed a 39% reduction vs. 18% in placebo (P = 0.01).
Microbiota: LPR women had decreased fecal Lachnospiraceae abundance, correlating with weight loss.

Limitations

Sex-specific analysis: The study’s primary outcome (all participants) was nonsignificant; subgroup findings in women require replication.
Formulation complexity: Effects may stem from the combination of LPR, oligofructose, and inulin rather than LPR alone.
Sample demographics: 85% female participants limit generalizability to men.
Dietary control: Energy restriction was self-reported, introducing potential bias.
Mechanistic gaps: The role of Lachnospiraceae in weight loss remains speculative without causal evidence.

Clinical Relevance

This study suggests that the LPR strain with prebiotics may support sustainable weight loss in obese women when combined with calorie restriction. However, the lack of efficacy in men and the use of a proprietary formulation (containing inulin and oligofructose) imply that results may not apply to all probiotic products or populations. Clinicians should consider sex-specific responses and prebiotic/probiotic synergy when recommending weight-management strategies. Further research is needed to isolate LPR’s effects and validate microbiota interactions.

Source: 2014 Study on PubMed