title: The effect of yoghurt and its probiotics on blood pressure and serum lipid profile; a randomised controlled trial.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Despite strong mechanistic data, and promising results from in vitro and animal studies, the ability of probiotic bacteria to improve blood pressure and serum lipid concentrations in humans remains uncertain. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of Lactobacillus acidophilus La5 and Bifidobacterium animalis subsp lactis Bb12, provided in either yoghurt or capsule form, on home blood pressure and serum lipid profile.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Following a 3-week washout period, 156 overweight men and women over 55 y were randomized to a 6-week double-blinded, factorial, parallel study. The four intervention groups were: A) probiotic yoghurt plus probiotic capsules; B) probiotic yoghurt plus placebo capsules; C) control milk plus probiotic capsules; and D) control milk plus placebo capsules. Each probiotic test article provided a minimum L. acidophilus La5 and B. animalis subsp. lactis Bb12 dose of 3.0 × 10⁹ CFU/d. Home blood pressure monitoring, consisting of 7-day bi-daily repeat measurements, were collected at baseline and week 6. Fasting total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDLC), high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDLC), and serum triglyceride were performed at baseline and week 6. When compared to control milk, probiotic yoghurt did not significantly alter blood pressure, heart rate or serum lipid concentrations (P > 0.05). Similarly, when compared to placebo capsules, supplementation with probiotic capsules did not alter blood pressure or concentrations of total cholesterol LDLC, HDLC, or triglycerides (P > 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The probiotic strains L. acidophilus La5 and B. animalis subsp. lactis Bb12 did not improve cardiovascular risk factors.
authors.affiliation: University of Western Australia, School of Medicine and Pharmacology, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital Unit, Australia; Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, Department of Endocrinology and Diabetes, Australia. Electronic address: kerry.ivey@gmail.com.
authors.forename: K L
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: Ivey
authors.affiliation: University of Western Australia, School of Medicine and Pharmacology, Royal Perth Hospital, Australia.
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Hodgson
authors.affiliation: Curtin University, School of Public Health, Australia.
authors.forename: D A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Kerr
authors.affiliation: Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Australia.
authors.forename: P L
authors.initials: PL
authors.lastname: Thompson
authors.affiliation: University of Western Australia, School of Medicine and Pharmacology, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital Unit, Australia; Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, Department of Endocrinology and Diabetes, Australia.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Stojceski
authors.affiliation: University of Western Australia, School of Medicine and Pharmacology, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital Unit, Australia; Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, Department of Endocrinology and Diabetes, Australia.
authors.forename: R L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Prince
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D013956:Antithyroid Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001644:Bifidobacterium / Q000254:growth & development; D015992:Body Mass Index; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006949:Hyperlipidemias / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006973:Hypertension / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D000960:Hypolipidemic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007779:Lactobacillus acidophilus / Q000254:growth & development; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D050177:Overweight / Q000097:blood / Q000178:diet therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D019936:Probiotics / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012307:Risk Factors; D014904:Western Australia / Q000453:epidemiology; D015014:Yogurt / Q000382:microbiology*
chemical_list: D013956:Antithyroid Agents; D000960:Hypolipidemic Agents; D008055:Lipids
keywords: Blood pressure; Cholesterol; Dairy; Lipid; Probiotics; Yoghurt