Prebiotic, probiotic and synbiotic trials found no clear overall change in children's metabolic markers
A pooled analysis in children and adolescents with overweight or obesity found statistically uncertain effects on weight, blood sugar and blood lipids.
Based on the published abstract. The full paper may contain additional methods, results and limitations.
The 30-second takeaway
Across the pooled trials, prebiotic, probiotic and synbiotic supplements did not show statistically significant effects on weight or the reported metabolic markers. A probiotic subgroup showed lower fasting blood sugar, while sensitivity analyses changed some results. The overall findings remain uncertain and do not prove that these supplements have no effect or that probiotics outperform other types.
Trial duration, comparator details and participant numbers are absent from the abstract. Several results changed in sensitivity analyses. This abstract-based summary cannot judge the clinical importance or reliability of the subgroup findings.
Which outcomes were measured
Researchers examined body size alongside blood sugar, insulin-related measures and cholesterol or triglyceride levels. These are measurements of risk factors; the abstract does not report whether supplements changed actual cardiovascular disease outcomes.
Why secondary analyses matter
The probiotic subgroup and sensitivity analyses gave a different picture from the main pooled findings. That variation warrants caution: a significant result in a subgroup does not by itself demonstrate superiority over other supplement categories.
The original publication
Can pre-/pro and synbiotics affect cardiovascular risk factors in children and adolescence with overweight and obesity? A grade-assessed systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.
Wu Y, Zhang J, Wang X et al.
Obes Res Clin Pract · 2025
- PubMed ID
- 40987620
- Record checked
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