According to Iranian researchers writing in the journal Nutrition and Diabetes, these improvements could be due to the influence of anti-inflammatory and vasodilatory effects of probiotics. Bioactive peptides released by probiotics may also regulate blood pressure.
“One of the key findings of this study is the significant improvement in insulin resistance markers in the synbiotic yogurt group. Previous studies have shown that synbiotics have a favorable effect in controlling glycemic parameters in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus,” the researchers wrote. “It has been suggested that probiotics modulate gut microbiota composition and cause anti-inflammatory effects and by that improve insulin resistance and glucose metabolism.”
Gut imbalance
Globally, 20% to 30% of people suffer from metabolic syndrome, putting them at risk for type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Insulin resistance and inflammation are also major components of MetS, which are related to abdominal obesity.
“It has been suggested that an imbalance in the gut microbiome plays a significant role in the development of metabolic disorders linked to the MetS, such as insulin resistance,” the researchers explained.
“Modifying the gut microbiota with probiotics and synbiotics has been demonstrated to minimize the risk of MetS and associated risk factors. Studies have also indicated that probiotics can improve insulin resistance by enhancing hepatic natural killer and T cell receptors and decreasing inflammatory signaling, which consequently reduces systemic inflammation.”
As an added benefit, probiotics may improve blood pressure, releasing bioactive peptides such as angiotensin-converting enzyme-inhibiting peptides. This includes probiotic supplements containing Lactobacillus plantarum, demonstrated in human trials to be effective to improve MetS by improving high blood pressure, lipid profile, waist circumference, fasting blood glucose and fasting plasma insulin.
Study details
The randomized controlled clinical trial included 41 participants divided into an intervention group and a placebo group. Participants in the intervention group consumed 300 g of symbiotic yogurt daily for 12 weeks. The synbiotic yogurt used in the study was based on a traditional product from southern Iran. The placebo group consumed regular yogurt.
“There is no available study evaluating the effect of a synbiotic yogurt containing L. plantarum on measurable metabolic outcomes in patients with MetS,” the researchers noted. “We aimed to investigate the effects of daily consumption of synbiotic yogurt containing native strains of L. plantarum, L. pentosus and C. marcusianus along with prebiotics, including celery, shallot, chicory and mint, on the components of the MetS in adults with MetS.”
The researchers collected blood samples from the participants after overnight fasting at both the beginning and end of the intervention.
The experimental group experienced significantly decreased levels of fasting blood glucose, insulin and HOMA-IR (homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance) levels as compared to baseline.
The significant improvement in waist-to-hip ratio and systolic blood pressure in the synbiotic yogurt group compared to the control group also supports the possibility that synbiotic supplementation can manage MetS complications, the researchers added.
“While our research endeavors to shed light on the improving effect of consumption of the probiotic and prebiotic-containing products on the clinical indicators of MetS, it is essential to acknowledge the potential limitations in extrapolating these findings to broader populations or settings,” they explained. “It should be pointed out that our findings cannot be generalized and extended to other types of probiotics.”
Source: Nutrition and Diabetes
doi: 10.1038/s41387-024-00354-7
“The effect of a new developed synbiotic yogurt consumption on metabolic syndrome components in adults with metabolic syndrome: a randomized controlled clinical trial”
Authors: Mohammad-Amin Zolghadrpour et al.
