Lallemand Health Solutions’ L. rhamnosus HA-114 may curb overeating, reduce insulin resistance

13 May 2022 --- Canada-based Lallemand Health Solutions’ patent-pending probiotic strain L. rhamnosus HA-114, may provide physical and mental health benefits for people in an overweight program. The ingredient is the “first of its kind” to help people in a weight management program restrain themselves from overeating.

The probiotic has strong potential to support weight management efforts through its interaction with the brain-gut axis, which could facilitate diet compliance, Camille Binachon, product manager at Lallemand Health Solutions, tells NutritionInsight. 

Beneficial changes were observed in the probiotic group on eating behaviors, with participants having better self-control over hunger, hence reducing food cravings.

“Another significant outcome was observed on emotional-related behaviors for the participants taking the probiotic, as their feeling of stress, anxiety and depression improved significantly following their diet,” Binachon explains.

Feeling healthy has become more important than physical appearance.Weight management trends
In just a few years, there have been changes in dieting motivations. Nowadays, most consumers who diet do so to improve their overall health. Binachon explains:

“In 2021, over 80% of consumers stated that maintaining a healthy weight was important for overall health – outnumbering the 19.6% of consumers who said the number one reason to keep a healthy weight was for physical appearance.” 

She notes that solid clinical studies are important to bringing valuable ingredients with guaranteed efficacy.

“Consumers are looking for solutions to support them in their weight management efforts as they know there is no ‘magic pill’ to lose weight.”

Addressing body and mind
There were 152 overweight yet healthy participants at the start of a diet in the study. They were provided with a dose of L. rhamnosus HA-114 or a placebo. All participants were physically active and on a calorie deficit of 500 calories per day.

In addition to the mental benefits of reduced stress and anxiety, a number of physical benefits were also measured. 

Insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) and plasma insulin were significantly influenced in the probiotic group. It also affected low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol and triglycerides. 

Both groups showed significant changes in body mass index (BMI), fat mass and body mass percentage. In both groups, the participants lost 3.96 kg on average, Binachon explains.

“There is already increasing evidence that the gut profile influences the brain. In this experiment, the probiotic strain L. rhamnosus HA-114 has shown to support weight management efforts by restoring the balance of eating behaviors through the brain-gut axis.” The L. rhamnosus HA-114 probiotic addresses weight management via the brain-gut axis.

Thus, the supplement showed health benefits apart from controlled eating as beneficial maintenance of a healthy metabolic profile for overweight people who have a healthy lifestyle and are currently restrictive in their diet. 

Other probiotic benefits
Another L. rhamnosus strain was previously shown to impact COVID-19, showing a decreased risk of infection and severity. The probiotic from DSM is part of its Culturelle brand from i-Health, Inc.

Research into probiotics is further highlighting benefits including improved gut health and immunity. 

In further research, Lallemand Health Solutions is collaborating with the University of Montreal Hospital Research Center (CRCHUM) on a study to assess the ability of the probiotic L. rhamnosus HA-114 to slow the progression of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. For this, the researchers at the center have received a US$1.6 million grant.

By Beatrice Wihlander