Beneficial Effects of Probiotics on Type 2 Diabetes

by | Feb 18, 2019 | 2018, Diabetes, Pancreatic Health, Probiotics

Written by Jessica Patella, ND. This study demonstrated that supplementing with L. reuteri strains ADR-1 and ADR-3 showed significant improvements in hemoglobin A1c levels, cholesterol, and blood pressure for the participating type 2 diabetics.

probioticsMore than 100 million Americans now have type 2 diabetes or prediabetes according to the Centers for Disease Control’s latest report 1. Diabetes was also the seventh leading cause of death in the United States as of 2015 1. The World Health Organization predicts this will occur globally as well 2,3. For this reason it is important to investigate ways to help regulate blood glucose levels. Past research in animals and humans indicates probiotics help regulate insulin levels 4,5. Recent research found that supplementing with Lactobacillus reuteri improved hemoglobin A1c levels in type 2 diabetics 2.

In this study a total of 74 participants with type 2 diabetes were randomized into one of three groups:

  • Live L. reuteri ADR-1 (n=25; 4X109 CFU)
  • Heat-killed L. reuteri ADR-3 (n=25; 2X1010 CFU)
  • Placebo (n=24)

Participants took the supplements daily for 6-months, followed by a 3-month washout period. The results were as follows:

  • Hemoglobin A1c significantly reduced only in the live L. reuteri ADR-1 group compared to placebo (3-months p=0.0321, 6-months p=0.0212, 9-months p=0.0285). This also indicated that those supplementing for 6-months could maintain a stable A1c level for 3-months after stopping the probiotic.
  • The Hemoglobin A1c reduction was also correlated to an 8-fold increase in fecal levels of L. reuteri in all participants (p=0.034).
  • Cholesterol was significantly reduced in the live L. reuteri ADR-1 group only at 6-months (p=0.0467)
  • Blood pressure was significantly reduced only in the heat-killed L. reuteri ADR-3 group after 6-months (systolic BP p=0.0248; mean BP p=0.0254).
  • The intestinal flora of L. reuteri in both ADR-1 and ADR-3 groups was increased with taking the probiotic compared to the placebo group (p=0.017).

There were no adverse effects recorded in the study. Researchers state the improvement in glucose levels could be due to changes in to intestinal microflora composition from the probiotic supplement 2.

In conclusion, supplementing live L. reuteri probiotics in type 2 diabetics was shown to improve hemoglobin A1c levels and improve cholesterol levels. Supplementing heat-killed L. reuteri probiotics in type 2 diabetics was shown to improve only blood pressure measurements. The fecal levels of L. reuteri may be used to predict the reduction of hemoglobin levels in type 2 diabetics. More research is needed on the mechanism of how this strand of probiotics helps improve blood glucose levels 2.

Source: Hsieh, Ming-Chia, Wan-Hua Tsai, Yu-Pang Jheng, Shih-Li Su, Shu-Yi Wang, Chi-Chen Lin, Yi-Hsing Chen, and Wen-Wei Chang. “The beneficial effects of Lactobacillus reuteri ADR-1 or ADR-3 consumption on type 2 diabetes mellitus: a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial.” Scientific reports 8 (2018).

An Open Access Study

Click here to read the full text study.

Posted February 18, 2019.

Jessica Patella, ND, is a naturopathic physician specializing in nutrition and homeopathic medicine and offers a holistic approach to health. She earned her ND from Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine in Tempe, AZ, and is a member of the North Carolina Association of Naturopathic Physicians. Visit her website at www.awarenesswellness.com.

References:

  1. Prevention CDC. New CDC Report: More Than 100 Million Americans Have Diabetes or Prediabetes. 2017; Diabetes is a growing health problem in U.S. Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2017/p0718-diabetes-report.html. Accessed February 12, 2019.
  2. Hsieh M-C, Tsai W-H, Jheng Y-P, et al. The beneficial effects of Lactobacillus reuteri ADR-1 or ADR-3 consumption on type 2 diabetes mellitus: a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial. Scientific reports. 2018;8.
  3. Organization WH. Global report on diabetes. World Health Organization; 2016.
  4. Yun S, Park H, Kang J. Effect of Lactobacillus gasseri BNR17 on blood glucose levels and body weight in a mouse model of type 2 diabetes. Journal of applied microbiology. 2009;107(5):1681-1686.
  5. Asemi Z, Jazayeri S, Najafi M, et al. Effect of daily consumption of probiotic yogurt on oxidative stress in pregnant women: a randomized controlled clinical trial. Annals of Nutrition and Metabolism. 2012;60(1):62-68.