In April 2018 researchers from Iran published the results of their study to assess the effects of synbiotic supplementation on insulin, lipid profile and antioxidative stress in women with gestational diabetes. Synbiotic supplementation is a nutritional supplement which contains both prebiotic and probiotic ingredients. A total of 90 pregnant women with gestational diabetes were included in the study. The women were divided into two groups and given either a daily synbiotic capsule consisting of L. acidophilus, L. plantarum, L. fermentum, L. gasseri with fructo-oligosaccharide or placebo for a 6-week period. Fasting blood glucose, insulin resistance/sensitivity, cholesterol levels, triglycerides, total antioxidant capacity and blood pressure levels were assessed both before and after the suplementation. Results showed no significant changes in fasting blood glucose levels and insulin resistance/sensitivity in the synbiotic group when compared to the placebo group. However, the synbiotic supplementation did appear to increase HDL(good)-cholesterol and total cholesterol levels and decrease blood pressure levels.
Nabhani Z et al. The effects of synbiotic supplementation on insulin resistance/sensitivity, lipid profile and total antioxidant capacity in women with gestational diabetes mellitus: A randomized double blind placebo controlled clinical trial. Diabetes Res Clin Pract. 2018 Apr;138:149-157.