US-based researchers at the University of Alabama have identified a bacterial supplement that may mimic the weight-loss effects of prescription drugs. The study suggests that Lactiplantibacillus plantarum can significantly boost GLP-1 levels in the gut.
The 3% body weight drop in 80 US adults
A recent study from the University of Alabama suggests that a specific postbiotic can significantly impact weight management. according to the report, 80 overweight or obese participants were split into two groups to test the effecs of a Lactiplantibacillus plantarum supplement. After two months, those using the supplement saw an average body weight reduction of approximately 3 per cent. In contrast, the placebo group experienced a weight gain of 0.5kg during the same period.
The supplement group also reported fewer gastrointestinal side effects compared to the placebo group. While many users of traditional weight-loss injections struggle with bloating, gas, and stomach pain, the participants in this trial reported a reduction in these specific discomforts. This suggests the supplement may offer a more tolerable experience for those seeking metabolic support.
Doubling GLP-1 levels for a fraction of the cost of Wegovy
The supplement works by mimicking the biological mechanism used by blockbuster drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy. Blood tests from the University of Alabama trial revealed that participants' GLP-1 hormone levels—the signal that tells the brain the body is full—more than doubled. While Wegovy patients typically see a 4 per cent weight loss over two months, this supplement's performance is remarkably close. Professor Naveed Sattar of the University of Glasgow noted that such supplements could eventually serve as vital obesity-prevention tools.
The financial barrier to weight management is also significantly lower with this approach.. While prescription injections can cost upwards of £300 per month, the ResM supplement is priced at roughly £45 for a four-week supply. This is achieved through the use of "postbiotics," which are heat-killed bacteria that create fatty acids to boost gut cells. Unlike live probiotics, these postbiotics are more stable because they do not rely on the bacteria surviving the entire journey through the digestive system.
Funding ties and the lack of peer review for ResM
Serious questions remain regarding the independence of the findings since the University of Alabama study was funded by the supplement company itself. As the report notes, this specific research has not yet undergone the rigorous process of peer review by independent scientists. This lack of external validation means the claims of being "safe and clinically effective" should be viewed with caution by consumers.
Professor Penny Ward from King's College London also raised concerns that the weight-loss benefits might not be solely due to the bacteria. She suggested that other ingredients in the ResM formula, such as vitamin D3, vitamin B12, and fenugreek extract, might be contributing to the observed results. Until more independent studies are conducted, it remains unclear if the Lactiplantibacillus plantarum is doing the heavy lifting or if the multi-ingredient formula is responsible.
Comparing the £45 ResM to 20p probiotic pills
Consumers may find even cheaper ways to access the same bacterial benefits through traditional probiotics. While the ResM brand costs £45 per month, Dr. madusha Peiris of Queen Mary University of London points out that Lactiplantibacillus plantarum is available as a probiotic for as little as 20p per pill. A 2024 analysis of nine trials involving 667 people confirmed that live probiotics containing this bacteria also aid in weight loss.
These probiotics work by prompting other bacteria to produce short-chain fatty acids, which in turn release anti-hunger hormones. This creates a complex market where consumers must decide between a specialized, heat-treated postbiotic like ResM or a much cheaper, live bacterial alternative. The choice between a postbiotic and a probiotic may ultimately come down to stability and the specific delivery of fatty acids to the gut cells.
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