Prebiotic Inulin Supplementation and Peripheral Insulin Sensitivity in adults at Elevated Risk for Type 2 Diabetes: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial

Study answer

What this study found

Inulin did not improve peripheral insulin sensitivity or skeletal muscle metabolic flexibility versus placebo after 6 weeks on a controlled diet; insulin sensitivity indices (SI, Sg, AIRg, DI) unchanged; fasting insulin decreased with inulin but not after adjusting for baseline; HOMA-IR reductions were not significant after adjustment; no changes in glucose oxidation, fat oxidation, or substrate metabolism; Bifidobacteria increased with inulin; intestinal permeability and endotoxin remained unchanged; conclusion: inulin supplementation at 10 g/day for 6 weeks does not improve glucose…

Study & population

Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled feeding trial; adults aged 40–75 years with BMI 25–39.9 kg/m^2, overweight/obese at increased risk for type 2 diabetes; 24 randomized, 22 completed; predominantly female and Caucasian.

Intervention

Inulin 10 g/day vs maltodextrin placebo 10 g/day for 6 weeks; taken at breakfast dissolved in 16 oz water.

Key limitation

IVGTT data available for only 8 placebo and 9 inulin participants; small sample size (24 randomized, 22 completed); racially homogeneous and mostly female; short duration (6 weeks); controlled feeding with weight stability may limit generalizability; baseline fasting insulin higher in the inulin group; effects…

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Original abstract