Original articleA combination of calcium phosphate and probiotics beneficially influences intestinal lactobacilli and cholesterol metabolism in humans

SummaryBackground & aimsThe study focuses on the influence of a probiotic supplement alone and in combination with a calcium supplement on faecal lactobacilli colonisation and beneficial health effects such as a lowering of blood cholesterol.MethodsThirty-two men and women participated in the double-blind, placebo-controlled, cross-over study. All participants consumed a probiotic drink containing 1010 CFU/d Lactobacillus paracasei (LPC37) for four weeks. In addition, one group consumed bread enriched with pentacalcium hydroxy-triphosphate (CaP; 1 g Ca/d) and the other group had bread without CaP. After a two-week washout and a two-week placebo period, the intervention was switched for further four weeks.ResultsAfter intervention with LPC37 + CaP, total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol concentration in plasma decreased significantly compared to LPC37 and placebo. The faecal concentration of L. paracasei and that of all lactobacilli increased significantly after LPC37 + CaP and LPC37 compared to placebo. Moreover, secondary bile acids in faeces increased significantly after LPC37 + CaP intervention compared to placebo.ConclusionsCaP modulates the colonisation of LPC37 in the human gut under combinatory supplementation of CaP and LPC37. The combined supplementation also decreases plasma LDL-cholesterol and the LDL/HDL ratio in healthy, moderately hypercholesterolemic men and women, which could be also due to the CaP supplementation.Clinical trial registration numberNCT01033461