Probiotic Foods and Supplements Interventions for Metabolic Syndromes: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Recent Clinical Trials

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#anthropometry #bifidobacterium #biomarkers #dietary-supplements #humans

Probiotic Foods and Supplements Interventions for Metabolic Syndromes: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Recent Clinical Trials

Dong et al., 2019 | Ann Nutr Metab | Meta Analysis

Citation

Dong Yue, Xu Mengjie, ... Bhochhibhoya Amir. Probiotic Foods and Supplements Interventions for Metabolic Syndromes: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Recent Clinical Trials. Ann Nutr Metab. 2019;74(3):224-241. doi:10.1159/000499028

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Individual clinical trials suggested that when treated with probiotic foods or supplements with Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium, specific symptoms of metabolic syndrome (MetS) could be alleviated, but the results have been inconclusive. AIMS: The objective of the present meta-analysis was to use anthropometric and biochemical as indicators to evaluate the efficacy of using these probiotic foods or supplements among individuals with MetS. METHODS: PubMed, Cochrane Library, and CINAHL Plus were used to collect randomized controlled trials (RCTs) studies published from January 2000 to January 2018. Studies were included if they had at least one of the following outcome measurements: body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, hip circumference, waist-to-hip ratio, body fat mass (BFM), body fat percentage (BFP), systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), fasting glucose, fasting insulin, total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), triglycerides, and/or hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c). RESULTS: The 356 records were identified during the literature search, of which only 18 met the selection criteria. The 18 RCTs with a total of 1,544 participants were included in this analysis. This meta-analysis indicated that there were no significant differences of BMI, BFM, waist circumference, hip circumference, waist-to-hip ratio, SBP, DBP, fasting glucose, fasting insulin, TC, HDL-C, HbA1c, or triglycerides between the intervention and control groups. Significant standardized mean net differences were found in the BFP and LDL-C between the intervention and control groups. CONCLUSIONS: The results indicated that probiotic food and supplement with Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium could be used as interventions to improve specific anthropometric and biochemical outcomes among individuals with MetS. However, probiotic treatment alone could not reduce overall health risks. In addition, there were methodological drawbacks among reviewed studies, and further research is needed.

Key Findings

The 356 records were identified during the literature search, of which only 18 met the selection criteria. The 18 RCTs with a total of 1,544 participants were included in this analysis. This meta-analysis indicated that there were no significant differences of BMI, BFM, waist circumference, hip circumference, waist-to-hip ratio, SBP, DBP, fasting glucose, fasting insulin, TC, HDL-C, HbA1c, or triglycerides between the intervention and control groups. Significant standardized mean net differences

Outcomes Measured

  • blood pressure
  • systolic blood pressure
  • diastolic blood pressure

Population

Field Value
Population mets
Sample Size 1544
Age Range See abstract
Condition blood pressure

MeSH Terms

  • Anthropometry
  • Bifidobacterium
  • Biomarkers
  • Dietary Supplements
  • Humans
  • Lactobacillus
  • Metabolic Syndrome
  • Probiotics
  • Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic

Evidence Classification

  • Level: Meta Analysis
  • Publication Types: Journal Article, Meta-Analysis, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't, Systematic Review
  • Vertical: probiotics

Provenance

Source extracted via PubMed E-utilities API on 2026-04-09