1. Introduction
obesity, metabolic syndrome traits, MetS, overweight, weight loss
OBESITY, OBESE
In view of the limited evidence showing anti-obesity effects of synbiotics via modulation of the gut microbiota in humans, a randomized clinical trial was performed. Assessment of the metabolic syndrome traits and profiling of the fecal gut microbiota using 16S rRNA gene sequencing in overweight and obese Hong Kong Chinese individuals before and after dietary intervention with an 8-week increased consumption of fruits and vegetables and/or synbiotic supplementation was conducted. The selected synbiotic contained two probiotics (The prevalence of obesity has increased substantially among Chinese adults during the past decades [Conventional non-surgical interventions using diet and exercise demonstrated limitations in achieving long-term weight loss [It is worth mentioning that a high-fiber diet, which is one of the popular diets used for weight loss, has been associated with an increase in microbiota-accessible carbohydrate-degrading bacteria and microbial diversity, which are essential to maintaining gut homeostasis [Dietary interventions in obesity using synbiotics, which are comprised of probiotic(s) and prebiotic(s), to re-establish gut homeostasis could facilitate weight loss [Prebiotic is defined as a substrate that is selectively utilized by host microorganisms, conferring a health benefit [The objective of this clinical trial was to evaluate the changes in gut microbiota and parameters of MetS in overweight and obese Hong Kong Chinese individuals before and after dietary intervention with an 8-week increased consumption of F&V and/or synbiotic supplementation. This clinical trial revealed that synbiotic supplementation would amplify the anti-obesity effects on body weight, BMI, and body fat mass as well as the improvement of MetS traits.