The effect of a probiotic milk product on plasma cholesterol: a meta-analysis of short-term intervention studies

Abstract

Introduction: Certain fermented dairy milk products may have beneficial effects on plasma cholesterol levels. However, a number of studies have produced conflicting results as to whether dietary supplementation by a probiotic dairy product containing the bacteria culture Causido® reduces plasma cholesterol. Objective: To conduct a meta-analysis of intervention studies to evaluate the effect of the Causido® culture on plasma total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol. The probiotic milk product: The yoghurt product Gaio® is fermented with Causido®, composed of one strain of Enterococcus faecium (human species) with the proposed cholesterol-lowering effect, and two strains of Streptococcus thermophilus. Study inclusion and data extraction: Six studies were identified from a literature search and from the yoghurt producer. All studies met the inclusion criteria. Summary data for plasma concentrations of total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol were extracted from the original publications or by personal request to the authors. Data from 4–8 weeks of treatment duration was used. Statistical analysis: We performed a traditional meta-analysis where mean differences between intervention and control of the pre–post changes in total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol were calculated, as well as 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Results: In the six studies included in the meta-analysis, the Gaio® interventions produced changes in total cholesterol above those of the control groups ranging from −0.02 to −1.02 mmol/l and in LDL-cholesterol ranging from −0.02 to −1.15 mmol/l. After inclusion of an open-label study, the meta-analysis of the double-blind studies showed that Gaio® as compared to the control group changed total cholesterol by −0.22 mmol/l (95% CI: −0.35 to −0.08, PPEuropean Journal of Clinical Nutrition (2000) 54, 856–860