Body composition improvement effect improver such as increased muscle mass and fat reduction by exercise containing lactic acid bacterium as active ingredient

Abstract

To provide a functional material that can enhance a body composition improvement effect by exercise.SOLUTION: A body composition improvement effect improver by exercise containing lactic acid bacterium as an active ingredient. This body composition improvement effect improver by exercise may be for causing exercising humans or animals to consume. The lactic acid may be a lactic acid bacterium belonging to the genus Lactobacillus, and it may be Lactobacillus plantarum. Also, the body composition improvement effect by exercise may increase muscle mass of a subject for a predetermined amount of exercise and reduce body fat of the subject for a predetermined amount of exercise.SELECTED DRAWING: None

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an agent for improving the body composition improvement effect, such as muscle mass increase and fat reduction, caused by exercise, which contains lactic acid bacteria as an active ingredient. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, with the growing interest in maintaining health, including the prevention of lifestyle-related diseases, attention has been focused on improving body composition. For example, since it is known that obesity due to an increase in body fat and a decrease in muscle mass promote the progression of lifestyle-related diseases, it is generally believed that increasing muscle mass and reducing body fat will lead to maintaining health. Methods for improving body composition, such as increasing muscle mass and reducing body fat, include improving diet, but moderate exercise is thought to be more effective.

[0003] On the other hand, lactic acid bacteria have long been used in the production of foods such as dairy products, including fermented milk, lactic acid bacteria drinks, and fermented butter, and lactic acid bacteria themselves have various pharmacological effects, including intestinal regulating effects, and are therefore known to be useful as ingredients in health foods and pharmaceuticals.

[0004] Regarding the effect of lactic acid bacteria on exercise, for example, Patent Document 1 states that the ingestion of lactic acid bacteria can promote the physical activity of a subject. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2016-84358 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] However, in modern society, the time and method of exercise available are often limited, and there has been a demand for methods to enhance the effectiveness of improving body composition even when physical activity is constant.

[0007] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a functional material that can enhance the body composition improving effect of exercise. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] In order to achieve the above object, the inventors conducted extensive research and discovered that lactic acid bacteria have the effect of enhancing the body composition improvement effect of exercise, which led to the completion of the present invention.

[0009] That is, the present invention provides an agent for improving the body composition improvement effect of exercise, which contains lactic acid bacteria as an active ingredient.

[0010] In the agent for improving body composition improving effect according to the present invention, the lactic acid bacteria are preferably lactic acid bacteria belonging to the genus Lactobacillus.

[0011] In the agent for improving body composition improving effect according to the present invention, the lactic acid bacterium is preferably Lactobacillus plantarum.

[0012] The agent for improving body composition improvement effect according to the present invention is preferably one intended to be ingested by an exercising human or animal.

[0013] In the agent for enhancing body composition improving effect according to the present invention, the body composition improving effect due to exercise is preferably an increase in muscle mass in the subject in response to a predetermined amount of exercise.

[0014] In the agent for enhancing body composition improving effect according to the present invention, the body composition improving effect due to exercise is preferably a reduction in body fat in a subject for a predetermined amount of exercise.

[0015] On the other hand, in another aspect, the present invention provides a composition for improving the body composition improvement effect caused by exercise, which contains the above-mentioned agent for improving the body composition improvement effect.

[0016] The composition for enhancing the body composition improving effect according to the present invention is preferably in the form of a food composition. [Effects of the Invention]

[0017] According to the present invention, a new functional material can be provided that utilizes lactic acid bacteria to enhance the body composition improving effect of exercise. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0018] [Figure 1] 1 is a graph showing the results of measuring the weights of the biceps femoris and gastrocnemius muscles in the young mouse test of Test Example 1. [Figure 2] 1 is a graph showing the results of measuring the weight of peritestril adipose tissue in the young mouse test of Test Example 1. [Figure 3] 1 is a table showing the results of measuring blood neutral fat concentrations and blood free fatty acid concentrations in a test on young mice in Test Example 1. [Figure 4] 1 is a graph showing the results of measuring the weight of the soleus muscle in the aged mouse test of Test Example 2. [Figure 5] 1 is a graph showing the results of measuring skeletal muscle mass in the human test of Test Example 3. [Figure 6] 1 is a table showing the results of measuring body weight, body fat weight, and subcutaneous fat weight in the human test of Test Example 3. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0019] The lactic acid bacteria used in the present invention are not particularly limited, and examples thereof include Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus casei, Lactobacillus paracasei, Lactobacillus helveticus, Lactobacillus brevis, Lactobacillus pentosus, Lactobacillus gasseri, Lactobacillus delbrueckii, Lactobacillus rhamnosus, and Lactobacillus acidophilus. Lactic acid bacteria belonging to the genus Lactobacillus such as Enterococcus acidophilus, lactic acid bacteria belonging to the genus Enterococcus such as Enterococcus faecalis and Enterococcus faecium, lactic acid bacteria belonging to the genus Streptococcus such as Streptococcus thermophilus, lactic acid bacteria belonging to the genus Lactococcus such as Lactococcus lactis, lactic acid bacteria belonging to the genus Leuconostoc such as Leuconostoc mesenteroides, lactic acid bacteria belonging to the genus Tetragenococcus such as Tetragenococcus halophilus, Bifidobacterium adolescentis, Bifidobacterium bifidum bifidum, Bifidobacterium longum, Bifidobacterium adolescentis, Bifidobacterium animalisExamples of suitable lactic acid bacteria include lactic acid bacteria belonging to the genus Bifidobacterium, such as Bifidobacterium animalis and Bifidobacterium infantis. Of these, preferred examples include lactic acid bacteria belonging to the genus Lactobacillus. More specifically, Lactobacillus plantarum is one example. One type of lactic acid bacteria may be used alone, or two or more types may be used in combination.

[0020] In addition, according to recent changes in the classification system, some lactic acid bacteria belonging to the Lactobacillus genus have had their genus and species names changed. For example, Lactobacillus plantarum has been renamed Lactiplantibacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus pentosus has been renamed Lactiplantibacillus pentosus, Lactobacillus casei has been renamed Lacticaseibacillus casei, Lactobacillus paracasei has been renamed Lacticaseibacillus paracasei, and Lactobacillus rhamnosus has been renamed Lactobacillus Due to reclassification, Lactobacillus rhamnosus has been renamed Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus, and Lactobacillus brevis has been renamed Levilactobacillus brevis. In this specification, "lactic acid bacteria belonging to the genus Lactobacillus" refers to lactic acid bacteria that belonged to the genus Lactobacillus in the old classification, and also includes lactic acid bacteria that are designated by the genus and species names after these reclassifications.

[0021] The lactic acid bacteria can be cultured and maintained by conventional techniques. For example, media suitable for culturing lactic acid bacteria include skim milk powder medium, or liquid media containing yeast extract, peptone, meat extract, salts, minerals, etc. Commercially available media include "MRS Bouillon MERCK" (trade name, Chemicals Co.) and "Difco Lactobacilli MRS Broth" (trade name, Nippon Becton Dickinson Co.), and such commercially available media may also be used.

[0022] The method for culturing the lactic acid bacteria is not limited, and may be, for example, static culture. Alternatively, to prevent a decrease in pH due to metabolic products of the lactic acid bacteria (such as lactic acid), culture may be performed while adjusting the pH by adding an alkaline agent to the medium (neutral culture). In this case, the alkaline agent to be added may be, for example, an aqueous solution of sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, calcium hydroxide, or the like, or ammonia. The pH during culture may be in the range of 5.0 to 7.5, or may be in the range of 6.0 to 7.0, and is preferably adjusted and maintained at that pH. pH adjustment may be performed manually, but it is simpler and more accurate if an automatic pH control device (pH stat) is used.

[0023] The lactic acid bacteria used in the present invention may be prepared as a bacterial cell concentrate by concentrating bacterial cells from a culture solution, or preferably by adding an excipient and then lyophilizing the concentrate. The bacterial cell concentrate can be prepared by directly concentrating the culture solution, but is preferably prepared by collecting the bacterial cells by centrifugation, filtration, or other means, washing the collected bacterial cells with purified water, or suspending them in purified water to a predetermined bacterial cell concentration. The content of lactic acid bacteria cells in 100% by mass of the bacterial cell concentrate may be in the range of 0.1 to 30% by mass, 0.5 to 20% by mass, or 1 to 10% by mass, calculated as dry bacterial cells.

[0024] The bacterial cell concentrate may also contain an excipient. This makes it easier for the properties of the lactic acid bacteria to be maintained even after freezing or lyophilization. In another embodiment, when the bacterial cells are pulverized and dispersed, reagglomeration of the resulting lactic acid bacteria powder can be prevented. The content of the excipient may be in the range of 10 to 99% by mass, 20 to 95% by mass, or 50 to 90% by mass, calculated on a dry basis.

[0025] The excipient is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include dextrin; maltodextrin; xanthan gum; sugar alcohols such as lactitol, maltitol, mannitol, sorbitol, and xylitol; sugars such as dextrose, fructose, glucose, lactose, and sucrose; and organic acids such as adipic acid, citric acid, fumaric acid, glutaric acid, malic acid, succinic acid, and tartaric acid.

[0026] The lactic acid bacteria may be subjected to a crushing and dispersion treatment. For example, a concentrated solution of bacterial cells can be crushed and dispersed using means such as stirring, a mixer, a homogenizer, a ball mill, a bead mill, a jet mill, or a generator.

[0027] The lactic acid bacteria used in the present invention are preferably killed lactic acid bacteria that can be prepared as described above. The use of killed cells allows for a product with good storage stability and consistent quality. For example, the bacterial cell concentrate can be heat-treated before or after the step of pulverizing and dispersing the bacterial cell concentrate. Furthermore, the bacterial cell concentrate can be dried and powdered after the step of pulverizing and dispersing. Examples of methods for drying and powdering include freeze-drying, reduced-pressure spray drying, and spray drying using hot air. The bacterial cells can be obtained by dry powdering, such as spray drying using hot air. Alternatively, after culturing under specified conditions, the culture solution or a bacterial solution containing at least the cultured bacterial cells can be heat-treated, and then the killed bacterial cells can be collected by means of centrifugation, filtration, or the like.

[0028] The body composition improving effect enhancer of the present invention uses the lactic acid bacteria prepared as described above as an active ingredient, and when ingested by a human or a non-human animal, improves the body composition improving effect of exercise. The method of ingestion is not particularly limited, but oral ingestion is preferred.

[0029] On the other hand, in another aspect, the present invention provides a composition for improving the body composition improvement effect of exercise, which contains the above-mentioned body composition improvement effect enhancer. This composition for improving the body composition improvement effect of exercise contains the above-mentioned lactic acid bacteria, and by ingesting this composition into a human or non-human animal, the body composition improvement effect of exercise can be improved. The method of ingestion is not particularly limited, but oral ingestion is preferred.

[0030] The "body composition improving effect due to exercise" is not limited to, but in one embodiment, refers to, for example, an increase in muscle mass in a subject after a predetermined amount of exercise, or a decrease in body fat, triglycerides, or free fatty acids in a subject after a predetermined amount of exercise. In this case, when performing the same amount of exercise, a subject who ingests the body composition improving effect enhancer or composition for improving body composition improving effect according to the present invention will have a higher rate of increase in muscle mass or a higher rate of decrease in body fat, triglycerides, or free fatty acids compared to a subject who does not ingest the agent or composition for improving body composition improving effect according to the present invention.

[0031] Here, the muscles that increase in the subject's muscle mass may be, but are not limited to, muscles used during exercise. Specifically, for example, if the subject's exercise is primarily leg-moving, such as running, the muscles that increase in the legs may be thigh muscles, soleus muscles, gastrocnemius muscles, etc., which are muscles that affect leg movement; if the subject's exercise is primarily arm-moving, such as push-ups, the muscles that increase in the arms may be brachial muscles, forearm muscles, pectorals, latissimus dorsi muscles, etc., which are muscles that affect arm movement; and if the subject's exercise is primarily abdominal exercise, such as abdominal exercises, the muscles that increase in the abdominal muscles may be rectus abdominis, oblique abdominal muscles, transverse abdominis, etc. Furthermore, if the subject's exercise is whole-body exercise, such as swimming, the muscles that increase in the muscles may be thigh muscles, soleus muscles, gastrocnemius muscles, brachial muscles, forearm muscles, pectorals, latissimus dorsi muscles, rectus abdominis, oblique abdominal muscles, transverse abdominis, and other muscles throughout the body.

[0032] Furthermore, the muscle mass that increases may vary depending on the nature of the exercise performed by the subject. For example, if the exercise performed by the subject is anaerobic exercise, which involves explosive power or exerting strong force in a short period of time, the muscle mass that increases may be primarily made up of fast-twitch muscle fibers, whereas if the exercise performed by the subject is light-load aerobic exercise, the muscle mass that increases may be primarily made up of slow-twitch muscle fibers. The ratio of fast-twitch muscle fibers to slow-twitch muscle fibers varies depending on the type of muscle; for example, outer muscles located on the surface of the body, such as the gastrocnemius, have a high ratio of fast-twitch muscle fibers, while inner muscles located deeper inside the body, such as the soleus, have a high ratio of slow-twitch muscle fibers.

[0033] On the other hand, the body fat to be reduced in reducing the body fat of a subject is not limited to, but may be, for example, visceral fat or subcutaneous fat.

[0034] Measurement of muscle mass and body fat can be performed, for example, by a body composition analyzer using bioelectrical impedance analysis or a CT scan.

[0035] In any non-limiting embodiment of the present invention, the body composition improving effect enhancer or composition for improving body composition improving effect of the present invention is preferably applied to a subject who habitually exercises, for example, walking, jogging, running, gymnastics, swimming, muscle training, cycling, road biking, aerobics, or other sports. Habitual exercise may be performed at a frequency of at least one, two, three, four, five, six, or daily per week, and the duration of a single exercise session may be at least 5 minutes, at least 10 minutes, at least 20 minutes, at least 30 minutes, at least 40 minutes, at least 50 minutes, at least one hour, or the like. The exercise is not limited, but may be aerobic exercise.

[0036] The dosage of the agent for improving body composition improvement effect or the composition for improving body composition improvement effect according to the present invention may be appropriately determined depending on the subject's health condition, age, athletic ability, body composition at the time of ingestion, the level of body composition improvement effect required, etc. Typically, the dosage in terms of dry matter of lactic acid bacteria may be in the range of 0.001 mg to 100 mg / day / kg body weight, 0.01 mg to 20 mg / day / kg body weight, or 0.1 mg to 10 mg / day / kg body weight.

[0037] The body composition improving effect enhancer or composition for improving body composition improving effect according to the present invention may be provided in the form of a food. That is, the lactic acid bacteria described above may be used alone or in combination with other ingredients for food and beverages to form a food or beverage for improving body composition improving effect. Examples of ingredients for food and beverages to be combined with the lactic acid bacteria described above include various carbohydrates, emulsifiers, sweeteners, acidulants, fruit juice, flavors, etc. More specifically, examples of such ingredients include sugars such as glucose, sucrose, fructose, and honey, sugar alcohols such as sorbitol, xylitol, erythritol, lactitol, and palatinit, oligosaccharides such as galactooligosaccharides, fructooligosaccharides, soybean oligosaccharides, raffinose, and isomaltooligosaccharides, dietary fiber, indigestible dextrin, sodium alginate, chitin, chitosan, β-glucan, inulin, glucomannan, carrageenan, fucoidan, guar gum, xanthan gum, gellan gum, pectin, and crystalline cellulose, and emulsifiers such as sucrose fatty acid esters, glycerin sugar fatty acid esters, and lecithin. Other examples include various vitamins such as vitamin A, vitamin B, vitamin C, and vitamin E, herbal extracts, grain ingredients, vegetable ingredients, and dairy ingredients.

[0038] Examples of foods and beverages include, but are not limited to, confectioneries such as cookies, rice crackers, jellies, yokan (sweet bean jelly), yogurt, and manju, as well as soft drinks, nutritional drinks, and soups. Other examples of foods and beverages include health foods, nutritional supplements, supplements, foods for specified health uses, and foods with functional claims, all of which are intended to improve body composition. The foods and beverages may also be provided in the form of tablets, granules, powders, capsules, drinks, jellies, and the like.

[0039] The body composition improving effect enhancer or composition for improving body composition improving effect according to the present invention may be provided in the form of a pharmaceutical composition. That is, the above-mentioned lactic acid bacteria may be used alone or in combination with other medicinal ingredients to form a pharmaceutical composition for improving body composition improving effect. There are no particular limitations on the other medicinal ingredients to be combined with the above-mentioned lactic acid bacteria. If necessary, a pharmaceutically acceptable base or carrier may be added, and the lactic acid bacteria may be prepared by known formulation methods into forms such as tablets, granules, capsules, pills, powders, liquids, powders, jelly-like agents, and candies, which can then be used as oral preparations.

[0040] The body composition improving effect enhancer or the composition for improving body composition improving effect according to the present invention may be provided in the form of an animal feed composition. That is, the lactic acid bacteria described above may be used alone or in combination with other animal feed ingredients to form an animal feed composition for improving body composition improving effect. For example, the composition may be used in animal feed for livestock, racehorses, ornamental animals, pets, etc.

[0041] In the body composition improving effect enhancer or the composition for improving body composition improving effect according to the present invention, the content of the lactic acid bacteria may be appropriately determined in consideration of the relationship between the amount of the lactic acid bacteria used and the desired dosage of the lactic acid bacteria when it is in various forms. Typically, the content of the lactic acid bacteria in terms of dry matter may be in the range of 0.001 to 100% by mass, 0.1 to 50% by mass, or 1 to 30% by mass. Furthermore, the content converted into the number of bacterial cells may be 1×10 4 ~1×10 12 cfu / g, and may range from 1 x 10 5 ~5×1011 cfu / g, and may range from 1 x 10 6 ~3×10 11 cfu / g range. [Example]

[0042] The present invention will be specifically explained below with reference to examples, but these examples are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.

[0043] <Test Example 1: Swimming exercise stress test on young mice> We investigated whether consuming lactic acid bacteria affects the body composition improvement effect of exercise by measuring the amount of muscle increase and the amount of body fat loss in mice. Specifically, we conducted an animal test as follows.

[0044] (Intake of test sample) A standard diet ("AIN-93G," manufactured by CLEA Japan, Inc.) was used, and 1% by mass of Lactobacillus plantarum SNK12 (accession number: NITE P-1445) was added as lactic acid bacteria (killed cells) to this diet. Mice (5-week-old, C57BL6J, male) were given this diet ad libitum for 9 weeks. A non-lactic acid bacteria group was given the same standard diet ad libitum, but without lactic acid bacteria. The lactic acid bacteria (killed cells) were cultured under specified conditions, then heat-sterilized together with the culture medium (80-100°C for 10-60 minutes), and the cells were collected using centrifugation or microfiltration. Dextrin was added to the culture and powdered by spray drying.

[0045] (weighted swimming exercise load) After 9 weeks of free feeding, mice were given weighted swimming exercise for 3 weeks while continuing to consume the test sample. Weighted swimming exercise was performed as follows: A rectangular container of a specified size was filled with 30°C water to a depth sufficient to prevent the mice's feet from touching the bottom. A submersible pump (Yokgrass) was attached to the container and activated to generate a water current (3000 L / h) within the container. A weight equivalent to 5% of the mouse's body weight was attached to the mouse's tail, and the mouse was placed in the water current and forced to swim. Mice that stopped swimming were encouraged to swim by pushing from above. Swimming was stopped if the mouse showed abnormal movements or sank below the water surface for more than 5 seconds. Up to three mice were allowed to swim at a time, and the mice were rotated to swim in turns. Swimming time was limited to 7 minutes per day. After swimming, the mice were wiped with a towel to prevent unnecessary energy loss due to exposure to water, and then placed in a drying cage until their fur was completely dry before being returned to their cages.

[0046] (Measurement of each sample) Six mice were assigned to each group: a group that did not receive lactobacillus supplementation and did not participate in weighted swimming (hereinafter referred to as the "non-exercise group"); a group that did not receive lactobacillus supplementation and participated in weighted swimming (hereinafter referred to as the "exercise group"); and a group that received lactobacillus supplementation and participated in weighted swimming (hereinafter referred to as the "exercise + lactobacillus group"). Three weeks after the start of weighted swimming, the mice were euthanized by carbon dioxide injection. The non-exercise group was fed a standard diet ad libitum for 12 weeks and then euthanized in the same manner. Each mouse was weighed and then dissected. The biceps femoris, gastrocnemius, and peritedibulum adipose tissue were removed and weighed. Blood was also collected at the time of dissection, and serum was obtained using standard methods. Blood triglyceride and free fatty acid concentrations were measured. The results are shown in Table 1 and Figures 1-3.

[0047] [Table 1]

[0048] [Rating 1] (Muscle gain) When the weights of the biceps femoris and gastrocnemius muscles were compared between the non-exercise group, the exercise group, and the exercise + lactobacillus group, the muscle weight of the exercise group was greater than that of the non-exercise group, and the muscle weight of the exercise + lactobacillus group was greater than that of the exercise group, as shown in Table 1 and Figure 1. This suggests that taking lactobacillus enhances the muscle mass-increasing effects of exercise.

[0049] [Rating 2] (Amount of body fat reduction) When the weight of peritellar adipose tissue was compared between the no-exercise group, the exercise group, and the exercise + lactobacillus group, as shown in Table 1 and Figure 2, the fat weight of the exercise group was reduced compared to the no-exercise group, and the fat weight of the exercise + lactobacillus group was also reduced compared to the exercise group. Furthermore, when the blood triglyceride and free fatty acid concentrations were compared between the no-exercise group, the exercise group, and the exercise + lactobacillus group, as shown in Table 1 and Figure 3, the blood triglyceride and free fatty acid concentrations of the exercise + lactobacillus group were reduced compared to the no-exercise and exercise groups. This suggests that consuming lactobacillus may promote the active use of triglycerides as an energy source during exercise.

[0050] <Test Example 2: Swimming exercise stress test on aged mice> Using 71-week-old mice, the same test as in Test 1 was conducted, except that the weight attached to the mice during weighted swimming exercise was 3% of their body weight, and the weights of the body and soleus muscles were measured. The results are shown in Table 2 and Figure 4.

[0051] [Table 2]

[0052] [Rating 1] (Muscle gain) When the weight of the soleus muscle was compared between the no-exercise group, the exercise group, and the exercise + lactobacillus group, the weight of the soleus muscle in the exercise + lactobacillus group was greater than that in the no-exercise and exercise groups, as shown in Table 2 and Figure 4. The soleus muscle is a muscle with a high proportion of slow-twitch muscle fibers, and it was thought that taking lactobacillus would enhance the effect of low-impact exercise in increasing slow-twitch muscle fibers.

[0053] <Test Example 3: Exercise stress test in humans> We investigated whether consuming lactic acid bacteria affects the body composition improvement effect of exercise by measuring the amount of muscle increase and the amount of body fat loss in humans. Specifically, we conducted the test as follows.

[0054] (Intake of test sample) During the test period, 13 healthy adult men and women underwent an eight-week exercise program (upper body exercises: plank, crunch, bicycle crunch, push-up, Hindu push-up, back extension; lower body exercises: squat, hip lift, back kick, hip abduction). The study was a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind, parallel-group comparative study. Eight randomly selected participants (the lactic acid bacteria intake group) were instructed to ingest 300 billion (150 mg) of the heat-killed lactic acid bacteria (killed cells) used in Experiments 1 and 2 per day, while the remaining five participants (the placebo group) were instructed to ingest the same amount of dextrin per day. Body weight, body fat, subcutaneous fat, and skeletal muscle were measured using a body composition monitor (KRD-703T KaradaScan, both hands and feet measurement, manufactured by Omron Corporation) on the first day of the study, and at weeks 4 and 8. The results are shown in Table 3, Figures 5 and 6.

[0055] [Table 3]

[0056] [Rating 1] (Increase in skeletal muscle mass) When skeletal muscle was compared between the lactobacillus intake group and the placebo group, as shown in Table 3 and Figure 5, the lactobacillus intake group had an increased skeletal muscle mass at week 8 of the study compared to the placebo group. This suggests that the intake of lactobacillus may enhance the effect of exercise on muscle mass increase in humans as well.

[0057] [Rating 2] (Amount of fat loss) When weight, body fat, and subcutaneous fat were compared between the lactobacillus intake group and the placebo group, as shown in Table 3 and Figure 6, the lactobacillus intake group showed a decrease in weight at 4 and 8 weeks after the start of the study compared to the placebo group, and also showed a decrease in the weight of body fat and subcutaneous fat at 8 weeks after the start of the study. This suggests that the intake of lactobacillus may enable humans to more actively use fat as an energy source during exercise.

Claims

1. An agent that enhances the body composition improvement effect of exercise, with lactic acid bacteria as the active ingredient.

2. The body composition improving effect enhancer according to claim 1, wherein the lactic acid bacteria are lactic acid bacteria belonging to the genus Lactobacillus.

3. 2. The body composition improving effect enhancer according to claim 1, wherein the lactic acid bacterium is Lactobacillus plantarum.

4. 2. The body composition improving effect enhancer according to claim 1, which is intended to be ingested by an exercising human or animal.

5. The body composition improvement effect enhancer according to claim 4, wherein the body composition improvement effect of exercise is an increase in the subject's muscle mass in response to a predetermined amount of exercise.

6. The body composition improvement effect enhancer according to claim 4, wherein the body composition improvement effect of exercise is a reduction in the subject's body fat for a predetermined amount of exercise.

7. A composition for enhancing the body composition improving effect of exercise, comprising the agent according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

8. The composition for enhancing the body composition improving effect according to claim 7, which is in the form of a food composition.

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