Scientists discovered a helpful bacteria called Lactiplantibacillus plantarum in Egyptian cottage cheese that might help people with metabolic syndrome—a condition involving high blood sugar, high cholesterol, and weight problems. In laboratory tests and animal studies, this bacteria reduced glucose levels by 53% and cholesterol by 98%. The bacteria survived well in the digestive system and had other beneficial properties like fighting harmful germs. While these early results are exciting, researchers emphasize that more studies in humans are needed before this probiotic can be recommended as a treatment.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Whether a specific type of beneficial bacteria found in Egyptian cheese could help reduce blood sugar, cholesterol, and weight problems in people with metabolic syndrome.
  • Who participated: Researchers tested 10 different bacteria strains isolated from Egyptian food samples, then used laboratory tests and rats with artificially-induced high cholesterol and diabetes to evaluate the most promising strain.
  • Key finding: One bacteria strain called L. plantarum Y10b reduced blood sugar by about half (53%) and cholesterol by nearly all of it (98%) in lab tests, and showed similar benefits when given to rats with metabolic problems.
  • What it means for you: This research suggests a natural probiotic from traditional food might eventually help manage metabolic syndrome, but it’s still very early. Human studies are needed before anyone should consider using it as a treatment. Don’t replace your current medications or doctor’s advice based on this finding alone.

The Research Details

Researchers started by collecting 12 food and juice samples from Egyptian cuisine and isolating 10 different lactic acid bacteria (the good bacteria found in fermented foods). They tested each one in laboratory dishes to see which was best at lowering glucose and cholesterol. The most promising bacteria underwent detailed testing to confirm it had probiotic properties—meaning it could survive in your stomach and intestines, stick to your gut lining, and produce helpful substances. Finally, they gave this bacteria to rats that had been made to have high cholesterol and diabetes to see if it would help them in a living body.

This approach is logical because it starts with nature (traditional foods), narrows down to the best candidate, and then tests it in a living system before considering human use. The researchers were thorough in checking multiple beneficial properties, not just the main effect on blood sugar and cholesterol.

Testing in both laboratory dishes and living animals helps researchers understand not just whether something works, but how it works and whether it’s safe. This two-step approach reduces the risk of wasting time on human trials for something that won’t actually help. Finding probiotics from traditional foods is important because these foods have been safely eaten for generations.

The study was published in a peer-reviewed scientific journal, meaning other experts reviewed the work. However, this is early-stage research using only 10 bacteria strains and animal models, not humans. The very high effectiveness rates (53% and 98% reductions) are promising but should be viewed cautiously—animal studies often show bigger effects than human studies. The researchers were honest about limitations and called for further human studies, which is a good sign of scientific integrity.

What the Results Show

In laboratory tests, the L. plantarum Y10b bacteria reduced glucose (blood sugar) levels by 53% and cholesterol levels by 98% compared to controls. When given to rats with artificially-induced metabolic syndrome (high cholesterol and diabetes), the bacteria produced significant improvements in blood sugar control, cholesterol levels, and weight management.

The bacteria also showed excellent survival in simulated stomach and intestinal conditions, meaning it could actually reach your gut alive. It had strong adhesion properties (the ability to stick to gut cells), which is important for probiotics to work effectively. The bacteria also produced beneficial compounds called exopolysaccharides and could fight off harmful bacteria like E. coli and Salmonella.

Additionally, the bacteria fermented milk well and remained stable for 21 days, suggesting it could be incorporated into dairy products like yogurt or cheese without losing its beneficial properties.

Beyond the main effects, the bacteria showed antimicrobial activity against four common harmful bacteria, which could provide additional health benefits. The high auto-aggregation rate (82.6%) means the bacteria can clump together and form protective biofilms in the gut, potentially enhancing its beneficial effects. The ability to produce exopolysaccharides is significant because these compounds have their own health-promoting properties and may help the bacteria survive harsh digestive conditions.

This research builds on existing knowledge that certain lactic acid bacteria can help with metabolic health. Previous studies have shown that some probiotics can modestly improve blood sugar and cholesterol, but finding new strains from traditional foods is valuable because they may have unique properties. The effectiveness shown here (especially the 98% cholesterol reduction in lab tests) is notably higher than many previously studied probiotics, though this needs confirmation in human studies.

The biggest limitation is that this research was done in laboratory dishes and rats, not humans. Rats metabolize foods differently than people, and results often don’t translate directly. The sample size of 10 bacteria strains is relatively small. The study didn’t test whether the bacteria would remain effective in commercial food products over time or how much would be needed in a food to provide health benefits. There’s no information about potential side effects in humans or whether certain people might react badly to this bacteria. The very high effectiveness rates (98% cholesterol reduction) seem unusually high and should be interpreted cautiously.

The Bottom Line

This research is too early to recommend this specific probiotic for treating metabolic syndrome. The findings are promising enough to warrant human clinical trials, but until those are completed, this should not be considered a proven treatment. If you have metabolic syndrome, continue following your doctor’s advice regarding diet, exercise, and medications. You may want to stay informed about future human studies on this bacteria, but don’t seek it out as a treatment yet. (Confidence level: Low—this is preliminary research)

People with metabolic syndrome, prediabetes, or high cholesterol should be aware of this research as a potential future option. Researchers and functional food companies should care because this represents a promising lead for new probiotic products. People interested in traditional foods and natural health approaches may find this interesting. However, people currently managing these conditions with medications should not change their treatment based on this study.

Even if human trials begin soon, it typically takes 3-5 years to complete adequate safety and effectiveness studies before a new probiotic could be recommended. Don’t expect this to become available as a treatment in the near term. If it does advance to human trials, results might not be available for several years.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Once human studies confirm effectiveness, users could track weekly blood sugar and cholesterol levels (if they have access to testing) alongside probiotic consumption to monitor personal response. Track any digestive changes, energy levels, or weight changes weekly.
  • In the future, if this probiotic becomes available in food products, users could set a daily reminder to consume the recommended serving and log it in their app. They could also track complementary behaviors like exercise and dietary choices that work alongside probiotic use.
  • A long-term tracking approach would involve monthly check-ins with lab work (blood sugar and cholesterol tests) if recommended by a doctor, combined with app-based tracking of daily probiotic intake and lifestyle factors. This would help users and their doctors determine if the probiotic is providing real benefits in their individual case.

This research is preliminary and has not been tested in humans. The findings are from laboratory and animal studies only. Do not use this information to replace medical advice from your doctor or to change any current medications or treatments for metabolic syndrome, diabetes, or high cholesterol. If you have metabolic syndrome or related conditions, consult your healthcare provider before making any dietary changes or considering new supplements. This probiotic is not currently available as a medical treatment and should not be sought out for therapeutic purposes. Always discuss any new health interventions with your doctor, especially if you have existing health conditions or take medications.