The Effect of Probiotic Fermented Milk Products on Blood Lipid Concentrations: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials Publisher Pubmed



Ziaei R¹ ; Ghavami A² ; Khalesi S³ ; Ghiasvand R⁴ ; Mokariyamchi A⁵ Show Affiliations
Source: Nutrition, Metabolism and Cardiovascular Diseases Published:2021

Abstract

Aim: Fermented milk products are suggested as a supplementary therapy to help reduce blood lipid levels. However, the results of clinical studies are conflicting. Data synthesis: This study systematically reviewed 39 randomized controlled trials (n = 2237 participants) to investigate the effect of probiotic fermented milk products on blood lipids. A meta-analysis was performed using random effects models, with weighted mean differences (WMDs) and 95% confidence interval (CI). Statistically significant reductions in blood low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) (WMD: −7.34 mg/dL, 95% CI: from −10.04 to −4.65, and P < 0.001) and total cholesterol (TC) concentrations (WMD: −8.30 mg/dL, 95% CI: from −11.42 to −5.18, and P < 0.001) were observed. No statistically significant effect of probiotic fermented milk was observed on blood high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and triacylglycerol (TAG) levels. The effect on TC and LDL-C level was more pronounced in men, and a greater reduction in TAG was observed in trials with longer interventions (≥8 weeks) as compared to their counterparts. Conclusions: Available evidence suggests that probiotic fermented milk products may help to reduce serum TC and LDL-C cholesterol levels, particularly in men and when they are consumed for ≥8 weeks. © 2021 The Italian Diabetes Society, the Italian Society for the Study of Atherosclerosis, the Italian Society of Human Nutrition and the Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, Federico II University