Probiotics, Prebiotics Benefit Glycemic Control
Consumption of 500 mg a day of symbiotic supplementation—probiotics and prebiotics—was associated with improved HbA1c, body mass index (BMI), and microalbuminuria in patients with type 2 diabetes, according to a recent study.
Previous research has suggested that the consumption of symbiotic foods may be beneficial to metabolic profile, inflammatory factors, and biomarkers of oxidative stress. In order to test their effects on glycemic control, lipid profiles, and microalbuminuria in non-obese patients with type 2 diabetes, researchers conducted a randomized, double-blind, clinically controlled trial involving 70 patients.
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The participants were randomly assigned to either 500 mg/d of symbiotic supplementation (probiotics [Lactobacillus family, Bifidobacterium family, Streptococus thermophiles], prebiotics [Fructo oligosaccharide] and B group vitamins [1 mg], lactose [0.5 mg], malt-dextrin, magnesium saturate) or placebo (row starch, B group vitamins [1 mg], lactose [0.5 mg], malt-dextrin, magnesium saturate) for 9 weeks.
Overall, supplementation was associated with significant decreases in HbA1c and fasting blood glucose, but not with any significant differences in lipid profiles between the groups. Microalbuminuria and HbA1c significantly increased in the placebo group.
“The consumption of 500 mg/d symbiotic supplementation for 9 weeks, decreased significantly fasting blood glucose, HbA1c, BMI and microalbuminuria in T2D patients. However, there were no significant changes in lipid profiles, urea and creatinine at the end of the study.”
—Michael Potts
Reference:
Ebrahimi Zs, Nasli-Esfahani E, Nadjarzade A, Mozaffari-khosravi H. Effect of symbiotic supplementation on glycemic control, lipid profiles and microalbuminuria in patients with non-obese type 2 diabetes: a randomized, double-blind, clinical trial [published online June 2, 2017]. J Diabetes Metab Disord. doi: 10.1186/s40200-017-0304-8