The Effects of a Probiotic-Focused Diet on Cardiovascular Risk Markers in Obese Individuals: A 12-Week Intervention Study

Abs tractAim: Obesity is a key risk factor for cardiovascular diseases, contributing to endothelial dysfunction and atherosclerosis.Pericardial fat, a visceral fat depot surrounding the heart, has emerged as an important cardiovascular risk factor.Its proximity to coronary vessels and its role in inflammatory processes suggest its potential impact on vascular health.This study investigates the effects of a probiotic-focused diet on cardiovascular risk markers, including carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT), flow-mediated dilation (FMD), and pericardial fat thickness in obese individuals.Methods: This was a 12-week prospective dietary intervention study designed to evaluate the effects of a probiotic-rich diet in 100 obese participants.The participants followed a probiotic-focused diet, and cardiovascular risk markers-including CIMT, FMD, and pericardial fat thickness-were measured before and after the intervention.Metabolic markers such as body weight, insulin levels, and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) were also evaluated. Results:The probiotic group showed significant improvements in body weight, body mass index, insulin sensitivity, and hsCRP levels.However, no significant differences were observed in CIMT, FMD, or pericardial fat thickness between the two groups.Pericardial fat thickness showed a slight reduction in the probiotic group, but this change was not statistically significant. Conclusion:A probiotic-rich diet significantly improves metabolic health but does not result in significant changes in cardiovascular markers such as CIMT, FMD, or pericardial fat thickness in obese individuals over a 12-week period.Further research with longer intervention periods is necessary to explore the impact of probiotics on vascular health and pericardial fat accumulation in obesity.