The effect of synbiotic and vitamin D co-supplementation on body composition and quality of life in middle-aged overweight and obese women: A randomized controlled trial

Abstract

Background & aims: Obesity is a worldwide problem which has involved large populations. Since some dietary factors might modify obesity through various signaling pathways, the aim of this study was to investigate the effect of synbiotic plus vitamin D co-supplementation on body composition parameters and quality of life, in middle-aged overweight and obese women.

Methods: A randomized, controlled, double-blinded trial was performed and 88 overweight and obese women were assigned to 4 groups (22 per group), receiving synbiotic plus vitamin D, synbiotic, vitamin D and placebo for 8 weeks. At the beginning and at the end of the trial, anthropometric indices, body composition indicators, physical activity level, dietary intake, and quality of life score were measured by trained nutritionists. Statistical analysis was performed with SPSS version 22.

Results: The results showed significant difference between 4 groups in waist circumference (WC), fat mass (FM), body fat percentage (BFP) and visceral fat area (VFA) values after 8 weeks of treatment (P = 0.005, P = 0.007, P = 0.003, and P = 0.009, respectively), with the greatest reduction in synbiotic plus vitamin D group compare to placebo. No significant results were demonstrated between groups in relation to other body composition variables. In addition, there were no significant differences between the 4 groups regarding physical, mental and total aspects of life quality over time.

Conclusions: Our study demonstrated that synbiotic and vitamin D co-supplementation for 8 weeks, had favorable effect on various anthropometric indices and body composition indicators, but no desirable change in life quality score.

Clinical trial registry: IRCT (registration no. IRCT20090822002365N25).

Keywords: Body composition; Middle-aged women; Quality of life; Synbiotic; Vitamin D.