The Addition of Probiotic Consumption to a Nutritional Intervention and Caloric Restriction on Body Weight and Composition in Overweight Participants

Inclusion Criteria: * Aged 18 to 55 years * BMI between 27.0 and 39.9 kg/m2 * Sedentary to moderate active (less than 30 minutes of physical activity, 3 times per week) * Willingness to complete questionnaires, records, and diaries associated with the study and to complete all study visits * Willingness to discontinue consumption of fermented foods or probiotics (e.g. yoghourts, with live, active cultures or supplements), laxatives, prebiotics and any substance for body weight control * Willingness and ability to provide informed consent in French * Willingness to receive random assignment to probiotic or placebo supplementation * Committed to losing weight over the 12-week study period Exclusion Criteria: * Smokers * Use of another investigational product within three months of the pre-baseline period. * Known to be pregnant or breast-feeding or planning on becoming pregnant in the next 18 months. * Women of child-bearing potential not using effective contraception which include: * Hormonal contraceptives including combined oral contraceptives, hormone birth control patch, vaginal contraceptive ring, injectable contraceptives, or hormonal implants * Intrauterine devices (IUD) or Intrauterine system (IUS) * Tubal ligation * Vasectomy of partner * Double barrier method (use of physical barrier by both partners, e.g. male condom and diaphragm, male condom and cervical cap) * Positive pregnancy test in women of child-bearing potential * Menopausal women * Allergic to milk, soy, or yeast * Weight gain or loss of at least 10 lbs in previous three months * Inflammatory bowel syndrome, celiac disease, short bowel syndrome, or any other malabsorptive syndrome * Uncontrolled angina within the past six months * Insulin-dependent diabetes (oral medications are not exclusionary) * Serious and/or unstable medical conditions (e.g. cardiovascular, renal, lung, psychiatric illness, bleeding disorders, etc.) * Cancer treatment (radiation, chemotherapy, surgery) within past six months or any other treatment or condition known to weaken the immune system (such as systemic corticosteroids or HIVIAIDS). * Any physical condition deemed likely to significantly interfere with individuals' ability to participate in a nutritional intervention. * Currently or at any point during the study participating in Weight Watcher's or another weight loss program or taking a medication for weight loss. * Under antibiotics or treatments (medication or nutritional program) affecting body weight Intake and/or energy expenditure * History of drug or alcohol (\> 9 drinks weekly) abuse * Abnormal thyroid hormone levels * Immune-compromised conditions * Participant experiencing nausea, fever, vomiting, bloody diarrhoea or severe abdominal pain