Probiotic supplementation in combat sports athletes during weight reduction: body composition, lipid profiles, and fatty acid metabolism
Four weeks of probiotic supplementation was associated with greater body fat reduction and altered fatty acid metabolism in combat sports athletes undergoing weight cutting.
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What the study showed
All athletes lost body weight, BMI, fat percentage, and muscle mass over 4 weeks. The probiotic group showed significantly greater reductions in body fat percentage, lower triglycerides and LDL-C, and higher short-chain fatty acid concentrations (acetate, propionate, butyrate). Reductions in γ-linolenic acid and 8,11,14-eicosatrienoic acid were noted in the probiotic group, while free fatty acids increased to a greater magnitude in this group.
How it was done
Controlled trial with 32 combat sports athletes assigned to probiotic (Group E) or placebo (Group C) for a 4-week weight reduction phase. Body composition, lipid profiles, and fatty acids were measured before and after intervention.
Risk of bias
Small sample size (n=32) and short duration (4 weeks) limit generalizability. The abstract does not specify probiotic strain, dose, randomization protocol, or blinding procedures, all critical for quality appraisal.
What this study does NOT prove
The study does not prove that probiotics improve athletic performance, prevent muscle mass loss, or produce sustained effects beyond the weight-cutting period.
In clinical practice
Findings are preliminary and do not support immediate clinical recommendations. Absence of data on strain identity, dosage, and dietary control prevents direct translation to practice.
Limitations
Small sample size (n=32) and short duration (4 weeks) limit generalizability. The abstract does not specify probiotic strain, dose, randomization protocol, or blinding procedures, all critical for quality appraisal.
Technical appendix
Version history
- 1.0 · 2026-09-08 — Auto-generated under Evidence Standard v1.0
Paid access: structured summary from public metadata; consult the original study at the source.