Date of Award
2027
Document Type
Capstone
Degree Name
Master of Science (MS)
Department
Physician Assistant Studies
Committee Chair
Ashley Kernicky
Abstract
BACKGROUND
Metabolic syndrome is a cluster of metabolic abnormalities associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes mellitus. First-line treatment consists of lifestyle modifications, followed by guideline-directed pharmacologic therapy. Growing evidence suggests that modulation of the gut microbiota through probiotic supplementation may improve metabolic outcomes, although its clinical role remains uncertain. This clinical review evaluates whether the use of probiotics, specifically Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium, may serve as adjunctive therapy for metabolic syndrome.
METHODS
PubMed was searched using terms including “metabolic syndrome” and “probiotics,” yielding 195 articles. Abstracts and full texts were screened to identify randomized controlled trials, systematic reviews, and meta-analyses. Four studies were selected for critical review, while supplementary sources provided background information.
RESULTS
Four studies met the inclusion criteria: three randomized controlled trials and one systematic review with meta-analysis. Probiotic and synbiotic supplementation containing Lactobacillus and/or Bifidobacterium demonstrated statistically significant improvements in fasting blood glucose, fasting insulin, body mass index, and waist circumference. However, improvements in hemoglobin A1c and lipid biomarkers were inconsistent across studies, with substantial heterogeneity among probiotic formulations, treatment durations, and study populations.
CONCLUSION
Probiotics appear to be a promising adjunct to lifestyle interventions, but current evidence is insufficient to recommend routine use. Additional investigation is needed to determine the long-term effects of probiotic supplementation in adult patients with metabolic syndrome.
Recommended Citation
Rios A. The Role of Probiotics in Metabolic Syndrome: a Clinical Review. The PA Department Journal of Medical Science. 2026. https://digitalcommons.gardner-webb.edu/pa-department-journal-of-medical-science/90
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial 4.0 License