Kefir and Metabolic Syndrome

Overview

Metabolic syndrome is a cluster of metabolic disorders which increases the risk for diabetes and cardiovascular disease. In recent years, research has shown that probiotics may have positive effects on metabolic syndrome components. Although several health-promoting effects of kefir, have been suggested, there is limited evidence for its potential effect on metabolic syndrome. Therefore, it is necessary to clarify the effects of kefir on metabolic disorders including obesity, dyslipidemia, diabetes, and hypertension. To address the research gap, this study aimed to investigate the effects of daily kefir consumption on metabolic syndrome components, inflammatory response and gut microbiota composition in adults with MetS. The study was planned as a randomized, controlled, parallel design and completed with a total of 62 individuals who were diagnosed with metabolic syndrome according to the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) criteria. Participants were randomized into two groups and received daily 180 ml of kefir (n=31) or milk (as control) (n=31) for 12 weeks. Participants were assessed at baseline, week 4, week 8, and week 12 and at all controls dietary records, anthropometric measurements, and blood samples were collected. At baseline and 12th-week fecal samples were also collected in order to analyze gut microbiota composition.

Conditions