# Efficacy and Safety of CKDB-322, a Combination of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum Q180 and Phaeodactylum tricornutum, for Reducing Body Fat and Abdominal Adiposity in Overweight Adults

## TL;DR

A new supplement combining a probiotic and algae reduced body fat and belly fat in overweight adults safely.

## Contribution

This is the first human trial showing CKDB-322's effectiveness in reducing body fat and abdominal adiposity.

## Key findings

- CKDB-322 significantly reduced body fat mass and percentage compared to placebo.
- Abdominal fat area decreased significantly in the CKDB-322 group.
- The supplement improved metabolic biomarkers like triglycerides and leptin levels.

## Abstract

Background: CKDB-322, a combination of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum Q180 and Phaeodactylum tricornutum, has shown anti-obesity potential in preclinical models, although human evidence is still limited. This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, 12-week trial evaluated the efficacy and safety of CKDB-322 in overweight adults. Methods: Participants were aged 19–65 years; had a body mass index (BMI) of 25–30 kg/m2, and a waist circumference of ≥90 cm for men or ≥85 cm for women. They were randomly assigned to receive either CKDB-322, which provided 1.0 × 109 CFU of L. plantarum Q180 and 200 mg of P. tricornutum daily (n = 50), or a placebo (n = 50). Results: CKDB-322 supplementation resulted in statistically significant reductions in body fat mass and body fat percentage, as measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA), compared to the placebo group (p < 0.05). Computed tomography (CT) analyses also revealed significant reductions in abdominal fat area in the CKDB-322 group (p < 0.05). Additional improvements were observed in body weight and anthropometric parameters. Among metabolic biomarkers, serum triglycerides and leptin levels decreased significantly in the CKDB-322 group compared to the placebo. Exploratory microbiome analyses indicated an increase in the relative abundance of Lactobacillus, suggesting potential modulation of the gut–adipose axis. CKDB-322 was well tolerated, with no clinically significant adverse events or laboratory abnormalities. Conclusions: Collectively, CKDB-322 demonstrated a favorable safety profile and produced statistically significant improvements in multiple adiposity-related outcomes, including reductions in body fat mass, abdominal adiposity, and key anthropometric measures, supporting its potential as a functional ingredient for body fat reduction and metabolic health.