health-621353_640A quarter of New Zealanders have prediabetes which is a condition that can progress to type 2 diabetes and cause significant long term health problems.

There is now exciting research demonstrating 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).

We’re investigating whether adults with prediabetes who take a probiotic supplement can improve their glucose and fat levels in the blood.

This study is a blinded randomised placebo-controlled trial. Participants will randomly receive either a probiotic or a placebo, and one of two different cereals. 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.

In addition this work will evaluate the cost effectiveness of the interventions, and how to translate the study findings into practice.

 This research project is 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.

Find out more about the programme:

 

Food 4 Health – prevent diabetes He Oranga Kai

Food 4 Health He Oranga Kai study team (L to R) Back row: Professor Mark Weatherall, Dr Mark Huthwaite Middle row: Dr Ben Gray, Fiona Hood, Assoc Prof Jeremy Krebs, Professor Julian Crane, Dr Kristin Wickens Front row: Jo Hilder, Assoc Prof Eileen McKinlay, Professor Sue Pullon, Christine Barthow, Dr Cristina Cleghorn Absent: Dr Amber Parry-Strong

(L to R)
Back row: Professor Mark Weatherall, Dr Mark Huthwaite
Middle row: Dr Ben Gray, Fiona Hood, Assoc Prof Jeremy Krebs, Professor Julian Crane, Dr Kristin Wickens
Front row: Jo Hilder, Assoc Prof Eileen McKinlay, Professor Sue Pullon, Christine Barthow, Dr Cristina Cleghorn
Absent: Dr Amber Parry-Strong

Science Leader and principal investigator:

Associate investigators:

 

 

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