Supplementary material

We performed a meta-analysis to evaluate the effects of <em>Lactobacillus</em> supplementation on glycemic and lipid indices in overweight or obese adults. Seven electronic databases and two trial registers were searched for relevant randomized placebo-controlled trials. Nine eligible trials with 598 participants were analyzed using a random-effects model. We found that adequate <em>Lactobacillus</em> supplementation, particularly in capsule, powder, or tablet form, for 12 weeks significantly reduced low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) (mean difference [MD] −5.27 mg/dL; 95% confidence interval [CI] −8.28, −2.25; <em>P</em>=0.0006) and total cholesterol (TC) (MD −4.84 mg/dL; 95% CI −8.29, −1.39; <em>P</em>=0.006), and had beneficial effects on fasting plasma glucose (MD −1.81 mg/dL; 95% CI −3.08, −0.54; <em>P</em>=0.005) but not on fasting plasma insulin, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, or triglycerides. <em>Lactobacillus</em> supplementation had only a short-term effect on blood pressure. Collectively,<em> Lactobacillus</em> supplementation in adequate amounts has beneficial effects on LDL-C and TC in adults who are overweight or obese.