Zeitschrift für Probiotika und Gesundheit
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The Self-reported Use of Probiotics is Associated with Better Glycaemic Control and Lower Odds of Metabolic Syndrome and its Components in Type 1 Diabetes

Aila J Ahola, Valma Harjutsalo, Carol Forsblom, Riitta Freese, Sari Mäkimattila and Per-Henrik Groop

In type 1 diabetes, various metabolic disturbances are frequently observed. Importantly, these may negatively affect individuals’ long-term health outcomes. The use of probiotics has, in other populations, been beneficially associated with many of these risk factors. We, therefore, assessed the cross-sectional associations between the use of probiotics-containing food products or supplements and various health markers in a large population of individuals with type 1 diabetes.

Included were 1039 individuals (mean age 46 ± 14 years, 45% men) with type 1 diabetes and without end-stage renal disease. Based on the entries in the diet questionnaire and the food record, participants were divided into those using (Probiotics+) and not using (Probiotics–) probiotics-containing products. Various standard health markers, such as weight, waist circumference, blood pressure, blood lipids, and HbA1c, were measured during the study visit.

In all, 403 (39%) individuals reported using probiotics. Adjusted with potential confounders, the rate of overweight/ obesity, body mass index, and waist-to-hip ratio were higher in the Probiotics– group. Moreover, the odds of metabolic syndrome, and its waist, blood pressure, HDL cholesterol, and triglyceride components were higher amongst those not using probiotics. In the normal-weight individuals, using probiotics was associated with significantly better glycaemic control.

Using probiotics-containing food products or supplements may beneficially affect many of the traditional risk factors related to the diabetic complications. Randomized controlled trials are required to verify these observations.