Heat-treated L. plantarum MYO vs placebo in older adults with reduced muscle strength
In this abstract, 12 weeks of heat-treated L. plantarum MYO supplementation was linked to better quadriceps strength, grip strength and muscle quality than placebo in older adults with reduced muscle strength, alongside gut microbiota changes. [1]
Automatic summary · not editorially reviewed
The key findings
The study examined heat-treated Lactiplantibacillus plantarum MYO intake in older adults with reduced muscle strength. [1]
After 12 weeks, quadriceps strength, grip strength and muscle quality index were significantly improved compared with placebo. [1]
Turicibacter and Megasphaera showed positive correlations with muscle parameters. [1]
The source at a glance
- Study type / format
- Clinical study reported in an abstract (placebo comparison)
- Population / context
- Older adults with reduced muscle strength
- Summary based on
- Study abstract
- Original publication
- October 7, 2026
Muscle strength and gut bacteria in older adults
The abstract describes age-related sarcopenia as a decline in muscle strength and physical function with aging, linked to falls, fractures and mortality. It notes growing interest in modulating the gut microbiota as a strategy, including paraprobiotics, but says clinical evidence linking gut microbiota and muscle strength remains limited. The study therefore examined heat-treated Lactiplantibacillus plantarum MYO intake in older adults with reduced muscle strength.
Supporting source [1]
Quadriceps, grip and muscle quality after 12 weeks
After 12 weeks, quadriceps muscle strength, hand grip strength and the muscle quality index were significantly improved compared with the placebo group. The abundance of several beneficial bacteria increased, including Faecalibacterium, Lachnospira, Turicibacter, Megasphaera and the [Eubacterium] ventriosum group. Turicibacter and Megasphaera showed positive correlations with muscle parameters. Predicted microbial functions such as amino acid metabolism and oxidative phosphorylation were also enriched. The authors suggest the muscle effects may be associated with microbiota alterations.
Supporting source [1]
Abstract-only scope of the LPMYO trial
This explainer is based only on the abstract; the full text was not reviewed. The abstract reports a placebo comparison over 12 weeks but gives no sample size, participant details, adverse events or exact effect sizes. The microbiota–muscle correlations are associations, not proof of cause. The findings concern older adults with reduced muscle strength and do not establish benefits for other groups or general lifespan effects.
Supporting source [1]
How to interpret this
Abstract only; the full text was not reviewed. Sample size, participant characteristics, adverse events and exact effect sizes are not reported in the abstract. Correlations do not show causation.
Based on the study abstract; the full paper, tables and supplementary data were not reviewed.
Source & supporting passages
Lee JJ, Song JW, Kim HJ, In JH, Park J, Park J, Lee S. · europepmc.org · October 7, 2026