A microbiome‐targeting fibre‐enriched nutritional formula is well tolerated and improves quality of life and haemoglobin A1c in type 2 diabetes: A <scp>double‐blind</scp> , randomized, <scp>placebo‐controlled</scp> trial
Juan P. Frías, Martin L. Lee, Matthew M. Carter, Emily R. Ebel, Ren‐Hau Lai, Lars Rikse, Marc E. Washington, Justin L. Sonnenburg, Christopher J. Damman
Abstract
AIMS: To investigate a prebiotic fibre-enriched nutritional formula on health-related quality of life and metabolic control in type 2 diabetes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a 12-week, double-blind, placebo-controlled study with an unblinded dietary advice only comparator arm. Participants were randomized 2:1:1 to a prebiotic fibre-enriched nutritional formula (Active), a placebo fibre-absent nutritional formula (Placebo), or non-blinded dietary advice alone (Diet). Primary endpoint was change in core Type 2 Diabetes Distress Assessment System (cT2-DDAS) at week 12. Glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) change was a key secondary endpoint. RESULTS: . At week 12, cT2-DDAS reduced significantly in Active versus Placebo (-0.4, p = .03), and HbA1c was reduced significantly in Active vs Placebo (-0.64%, p = .01). Gut microbiome sequencing revealed that the relative abundance of two species of butyrate-producing bacteria (Roseburia faecis and Anaerostipes hadrus) increased significantly in Active vs. Placebo. CONCLUSIONS: A microbiome-targeting nutritional formula significantly improved cT2-DDAS and HbA1c, suggesting the potential for prebiotic fibre as a complement to lifestyle and/or pharmaceutical interventions for managing type 2 diabetes.