The effect of probiotics in the treatment and prevention of metabolic syndrome: a systematic review

Abstract

There is consistent clinical evidence, but not yet conclusive, that the consumption of foods or supplements based on probiotics modifies the microbiota and the microenvironment, with beneficial effects that are manifested in the clinical, anthropometric, and biochemical components of metabolic syndrome (MS) in the adult population. The objective of this systematic review was to analyze the effects of probiotic supplementation on the prevention and treatment of MS and its components in the adult population. A systematic review was carried out in the databases: Pubmed-Medline, Scopus, Web of Science, LILACS, Cochrane, SIGN, NICE and Scielo, with articles in Spanish and English from 2010 to 2020, with controlled intervention designs where have compared probiotic supplementation (regardless of dose, strains, route of administration, or duration of use). Sixteen articles were selected (10 randomized clinical trials (RCTs), which included 610 participants). The meta-analysis carried out indicated that no statistically significant differences were found on insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), obesity (body mass index -BMI-), atherogenic dyslipidemia or on blood pressure. These findings conclude the lack of evidence found to recommend the consumption of probiotics as a strategy to reduce the prevalence of MS. The methodological limitations found among the reviewed studies imply the need for future lines of research on its relevance as a potential nutritional therapy and for the moment it is recommended to integrate variables such as nutritional treatment or diet control.