Gut bacteria may hold key to weight loss — trial puts probiotic to the test
NCT ID NCT06140641
First seen Jul 22, 2026 · Last updated Jul 23, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This trial investigates whether a daily probiotic supplement called Bifidobacterium longum BL21 can help overweight or obese adults lower their body mass index (BMI) and improve metabolic health. Over 8 weeks, participants take either the probiotic or a placebo, and researchers track changes in gut bacteria, BMI, and other health markers through blood, urine, and stool samples. The goal is to see if this specific probiotic can positively influence weight and metabolism.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- a probiotic supplement called Bifidobacterium longum BL21
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this could point toward a simple, natural way to support weight management and metabolic health in people who are overweight or obese.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small, early-stage trial with only 72 participants. The probiotic may have little to no effect on weight or metabolism, and results may not apply to everyone.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
-
Not a phased trial
Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.
- Participants
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72 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
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Nov 2023
- Finished
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Jul 2024
- Lead sponsor
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Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
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18 to 65 years
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: 1. Body mass index (BMI) ≥ 24kg/m2 indicates overweight, and BMI ≥ 28kg/m2 indicates obesity; 2. Willing to take the test formulation daily during the study period; 3. Subjects who understand clinical research and commit to complying with research requirements and procedures. Exclusion Criteria: 1. Patients with serious chronic diseases (heart, liver, kidney, hematopoietic system, tumor and other serious diseases, mental disease and organ surgery history, diabetes, etc.) and complications; 2. Patients with severe allergies and immune deficiencies; 3. Pregnant, breastfeeding, or expectant women during the study period 4. Patients with a clear history of gastrointestinal diseases (ulcers, irritable bowel syndrome, etc.); 5. Have a history of intervention with lipid-lowering drugs or health products within the past 2 months; 6. Individuals who have used antibiotics within the past two weeks; 7. Failure to consume the test sample as required, or failure to follow up on time, resulting in uncertain efficacy 8. Subjects deemed unsuitable by other researchers to participate.
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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Qilu hospital
Jinnan, Shandong, 250012, China