Obese individuals present adverse changes in the diversity and composition of the gut microbiota, leading to alterations in energy balance, lipid metabolism, endocrine disturbances, and low-grade chronic systemic inflammation increases. Probiotic supplementation appears to change gut microbiota by decreasing gut permeability, inflammation, and metabolic disorders, creating a promising environment for weight loss.
The global prevalence of overweight and obesity has been increasing in populations and age groups in recent years. A recent data analysis of 195 countries has shown that obesity prevalence has doubled in more than 70 countries since 1980, and prospects are not promising in this scenario. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), over 2.1 billion adults were considered overweight or obese in 2014, representing 39% of the world's population.
In this experimental study, 40 male Wistar rats were randomly divided into 5 groups: (1) normal, (2) high-fat, (3) exercise, (4) supplement, and (5) exercise+supplement, and except for group 1, the rest They were subjected to a high-fat diet (40% fat, 40% carbohydrates and, 20% protein) for 16 weeks. The exercise program was performed for 6 weeks of aerobic exercise with moderate intensity, for 5 consecutive days a week with an increasing process on the treadmill (without incline). Mice were gavaged with Lactobacillus bifidus supplement in the amount of 1 ml each time. Mice were weighed twice a week.
The results showed that other groups had 35-40% weight gain compared to group 1. After the intervention, group 2 gained about 5% weight, group 3 lost 2% weight, and groups 4 and 5 had almost no weight changes. Comparing the average weight changes in 5 groups showed that the highest weight gain was in group 2, the lowest in group 1, group 4 was more than groups 3 and 5, and groups 3 and 5 were equal after the intervention.
Conclusion: Following a normal diet does not cause significant weight changes. Improper nutritional behavior and excessive consumption of fat (calories) increase the process of obesity and its difficult adjustment despite taking supplements and exercising. The current research showed that exercise and supplements together lead to weight loss of about 18.5%, and supplements and exercise each alone about 12% compared to a high-fat diet.