Probiotic supplementation may benefit patients with prediabetes, diabetes or gestational diabetes
China: The supplementation of probiotic/prebiotic/synbiotic may improve blood sugar profile among patients with type 2 diabetes/gestational diabetes, gestational women with normal glucose, or people with prediabetes, according to results from a meta-analysis published in Public Health.
Previous studies have investigated the effects of probiotic/prebiotic/synbiotic supplementation on blood glucose profiles in patients with diabetes. However, the results have not been consistent.
Considering the above, Z. Wang, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China, and colleagues conducted a systematic search from online databases (PubMed, Embase, ISI Web of Science, and Cochrane Central) to identify high-quality clinical trials examining the effect of probiotic/prebiotic/synbiotic supplementation on blood glucose profiles [including hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), fasting blood glucose (FBG), and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR)] up to December 2020. To investigate the different effects among different populations, subgroup analyses by types or durations of probiotic/prebiotic/synbiotic supplementation were conducted. The final analyses included a total of 39 trials with 3517 participants.
Based on the study, the researchers reported the following:
- Among patients with type 2 diabetes (T2DM), the summarized standardized mean differences (SMDs) of FBG, HbA1c, and HOMA-IR were −0.30, −0.59, and −0.68, respectively.
- Among patients with gestational diabetes (GDM), the summary SMDs of FBG, HbA1c, and HOMA-IR were −0.67, −0.24, and −1.06, respectively.
- Similar improvements in blood glucose profiles were also found among persons with prediabetes or gestational woman with normal glucose, but not among patients with type I diabetes.
- Subgroup analyses showed similar results for probiotic supplementation for patients with T2DM and probiotic/synbiotic supplementation for patients with GDM.
"In patients with type 2 diabetes/gestational diabetes, persons with prediabetes, or gestational women with normal glucose, probiotic/prebiotic/synbiotic supplementation might improve the blood glucose profiles," the researchers wrote. "There is a need for trials with more sophisticated design to validate the results in the future."
Reference:
Wang, Z, et al. "Effects of Probiotic/prebiotic/synbiotic Supplementation On Blood Glucose Profiles: a Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials." Public Health, vol. 210, 2022, pp. 149-159.
Disclaimer: This website is primarily for healthcare professionals. The content here does not replace medical advice and should not be used as medical, diagnostic, endorsement, treatment, or prescription advice. Medical science evolves rapidly, and we strive to keep our information current. If you find any discrepancies, please contact us at corrections@medicaldialogues.in. Read our Correction Policy here. Nothing here should be used as a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. We do not endorse any healthcare advice that contradicts a physician's guidance. Use of this site is subject to our Terms of Use, Privacy Policy, and Advertisement Policy. For more details, read our Full Disclaimer here.
NOTE: Join us in combating medical misinformation. If you encounter a questionable health, medical, or medical education claim, email us at factcheck@medicaldialogues.in for evaluation.