HE AHA TĀ MĀTOU I TŪHURA AI
What we investigated
Take | Issue
Approximately 26% of all New Zealand adults have prediabetes which, if left untreated, may develop into type 2 diabetes and lead to significant health problems.
Research shows that the microbes in our gut affect our health in many ways, including how our bodies process foods and sugars. We can modify our gut microbes by taking supplements of probiotics (which contain live bacteria that give health benefits) and prebiotics (substances from foods which support the gut microbes).
Whāinga | Aim
This study is investigating whether taking a probiotic supplement can improve the levels of glucose and fat in the blood of adults with prediabetes, and ultimately prevent the development of type 2 diabetes.
Huarahi I Whāia | Approach
Study participants are randomly assigned to receive either a probiotic or a placebo, and one of two different cereals, in a blind randomised placebo-controlled trial.
Cereals are included in the study because of their potential to act as a prebiotic with the potential to boost the effect of the probiotic.
If effective, this project will evaluate the cost effectiveness of the interventions, and how to translate the study findings into practice.
Co-funding
This project was funded by:
The Ministry of Health, Health Research Council of New Zealand, and Healthier Lives National Science Challenge, as part of the Long-Term Conditions Partnership.
View the website for this project
WHAKAWHITI MŌHIOTANGA
Knowledge Exchange
Puka Rangahau | Academic Publications
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- Uncertainty and certainty: perceptions and experiences of prediabetes in New Zealand primary care – a qualitative study. J Prim Health Care (2022)
- A randomised controlled trial of a probiotic and a prebiotic examining metabolic and mental health outcomes in adults with pre-diabetes. BMJ Open (2022); 12:e055214
- They’re sicker than we think: an exploratory study profiling the cardio-metabolic health in a sample of adults with pre-diabetes in Aotearoa New Zealand Journal of Primary Health Care 2022; 14(3): 221–228
- Food 4 Health - He Oranga Kai - Assessing the efficacy, acceptability and economic implications of Lactobacillus rhamnosus HN001 and Beta-glucan to improve HbA1c, metabolic health and general wellbeing in adults with pre-diabetes: study protocol for a 2 x 2 factorial design, parallel group, placebo-controlled randomized controlled trial, with embedded qualitative study and economic analysis. Trials (2020)
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Pāpāho | Media
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- Can good bugs make a difference in diabetes? He Kitenga-Research highlights, University of Otago, January 2020
- A gutsful of good health NZ Herald, January 2018
- Can probiotics fight high blood sugar levels and help prevent type 2 diabetes? Stuff.co.nz, January 2018
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