Probiotic trial yields promising results in fight against gestational diabetes

A study by researchers at the University of Otago has found a probiotic could reduce cases of gestational diabetes in pregnant women by 68%.

Fonterra Programme Manager Nutrition and Health Dr James Dekker said instances of gestational diabetes are on the rise throughout the world and it was exciting to find that Fonterra’s Lactobacillus rhamnosus HN001, referred to as SureStart LactoB 001, may be able to change this.

“Gestational diabetes is a temporary condition caused by pregnant women’s bodies being unable to produce enough insulin for both the mother and baby. It leads to an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes later in life, and Maori, Pacific Island and Asian women have some of the highest rates.”

He said 423 women were in the first trial and they’d like to see it tested on more pregnant women to see if there are the same positive results.

The University of Otago and researchers are also looking at the impacts of the probiotic on people with a predisposition to developing diabetes and how it may reduce the chances of them developing full-blown diabetes. A previous study found SureStartTM LactoB 001 to have an effect on the instances of childhood eczema.