Postbiotic supplement boosts body’s own GLP-1 and weight loss — SkimNews
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- ResM supplement containing dead Lactiplantibacillus plantarum, vitamin D3, B12, white mulberry leaf, fenugreek seed extracts, and chromium picolinate led to an average 2.6 kg (3%) weight loss over two months in a trial of 80 adults
- Chariharth Vivek Lal at the University of Alabama at Birmingham led a randomized trial comparing ResM to placebo, with participants on the supplement showing more than doubled blood levels of GLP-1
- Placebo group gained an average of 0.5 kg over the same period and reported more mild side effects such as nausea and bloating compared to the supplement group
- Simon Cork at Anglia Ruskin University noted the study’s limitations, including self-reported weight and adherence, small sample size, and lack of standardized measurements
- GLP-1 drugs like semaglutide are effective for weight loss but often discontinued due to high cost, shortages, and gastrointestinal side effects, creating demand for cheaper, better-tolerated alternatives
Why it matters: The supplement could offer a lower-cost, better-tolerated option for weight management if larger trials confirm the results, potentially benefiting people who stop GLP-1 drugs due to cost or side effects—though current weight loss (3%) falls short of the 5% threshold linked to major metabolic improvements.
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