Effects of zinc and probiotic co supplementation on lipid profile, waist circumstance, and body fat percentage in obesity women

Obesity is a state of excessive fat accumulation due to a prolonged imbalance between energy intake and expenditure. Zinc deficiency is crucial in the etiology of obesity/overweight, and is a consequence of excessive body weight as well. Hypozincemia worsens metabolic, immune, and oxidative status in obesity. Increasing zinc intake through diet or supplementation may be a viable strategy to reduce obesity-related disorders or conditions. Probiotic strain Lactobacillus casei Shirota is a lactic acid bacterium that has benefits for boosting the immune system, as an antioxidant, and can reduce cholesterol levels. This study analyzed the effect of zinc supplementation, Lactobacillus casei (LCS) and their co-supplementation on lipid profile consisting of total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), and triglycerides (TG), waist circumstance and body fat percentage in obese women. Eighty-four participants were randomized to four groups (zinc (30 mg/day), LCS (6,5x109 CFU/day), "zinc and LCS”, and placebo) for 30 days. Lipid profiles, anthropometric indicators, and dietary intake were determined pre and post-intervention. In the zinc group, LCS group, and “zinc and LCS” group showed significant differences between pre and post-intervention in serum TC, LDL, HDL, and TG (p < 0.05). On anthropometric indicators, all groups showed significant differences between pre and post-intervention on waist circumstance and body fat percentage (p < 0.05). The beneficial effects of "zinc and LCS” co-supplementation were reported for the changes of some lipid profiles (TC, LDL, HDL, TG), BMI, weight, waist circumstance, and body fat percentage.