Effects of <i>Lactobacillus gasseri</i> BNR17 Intake on Muscle and Fat Mass in Older Adults

In this study, we evaluated the effects of Lactobacillus gasseri BNR17 supplementation on muscle function, muscle mass, and fat mass in older adults (Average age: 69.1; 23 men and 23 women).A total of 46 participants were administered L. gasseri BNR17 (1 10 10 colonyforming unit/day) once daily for 8 weeks.The following parameters were assessed and compared with baseline values.The total Short Physical Performance Battery score, which consists of standing balance, walking speed, and repeated chair stand tests, increased significantly after supplementation.Handgrip strength also increased, although the change was not statistically significant.In addition, muscle mass-related parameters, including lean body mass, soft lean mass, and leg muscle mass, showed significant increases.At the same time, adiposity-related parameters, including body weight, body fat mass, body mass index, and obesity level, were significantly reduced.These findings suggest that supplementation with the probiotic BNR17 improves physical function and increases muscle mass while reducing body fat and visceral fat in older adults.Therefore, this probiotic may provide potential benefits in the management of sarcopenia and sarcopenic obesity in the elderly by preserving muscle mass and reducing fat mass during weight loss.