This probiotic reduces the risk of gestational diabetes in pregnant women

Scientists from New Zealand have found that the probiotic Lactobacillus rhamnosus HN001 is beneficial for preventing gestational diabetes. This finding, published in the British Journal of Nutrition, provides an attractive intervention method for the disease that’s simple, cheap, and safe.

• Gestational diabetes is becoming an increasing problem due to the prevalence of unhealthy lifestyles. This disease can increase the risk of high blood pressure, miscarriage, preterm birth, high birth weight, induction of labor and cesarean section, obesity, and Type 2 diabetes.
• There is evidence that probiotics have beneficial effects on gut microbiota, inflammation, and glucose metabolism. Previously, scientists were able to show that taking a probiotic supplement containing L. rhamnosus GG and Bifidobacterium lactis Bb12 during the first trimester of pregnancy can reduce gestational diabetes risk.
• In this study, the researchers wanted to determine if L. rhamnosus HN001 is also beneficial for preventing gestational diabetes.
• To do this, they recruited 423 pregnant women and divided them into two groups. One group received the probiotic supplement, while the other group was given a placebo.
• At 24 to 30 weeks of pregnancy, the researchers evaluated the blood sugar levels of the participants to determine if they have gestational diabetes.
• The results showed that only 2.1 percent of the probiotic group developed gestational diabetes. Meanwhile, 6.5 percent of the women in the placebo group developed the disease.

From these results, the researchers concluded that probiotic supplementation of L. rhamnosus HN001 can significantly reduce gestational diabetes risk.

The full text of the study is available at this link.

Read more news articles on natural diabetes prevention and treatment by visiting DiabetesScienceNews.com.

Journal Reference:

Wickens KL, Barthow CA, Murphy R, Abels PR, Maude RM, Stone PR, Mitchell EA, Stanley TV, Purdie GL, Kang JM, Hood FE, Rowden JL, Barnes, PK, Fitzharris PF, Crane J. EARLY PREGNANCY PROBIOTIC SUPPLEMENTATION WITH LACTOBACILLUS RHAMNOSUS HN001 MAY REDUCE THE PREVALENCE OF GESTATIONAL DIABETES MELLITUS: A RANDOMISED CONTROLLED TRIAL. British Journal of Nutrition. 3 April 2017;117(06). DOI: 10.1017/s0007114517000289