Redmond, WA—A recent study from Diabetes Care has found that the daily consumption of a branded L. reuteri probiotic (ATTC strain SD-5865 from Nutraceutix, as BIO‐tract tablets) “enriches human gut microbiota and modifies gut production of protein factors that increase insulin secretion,” according to a press release issued by the company.

A diabetes center in Germany performed a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study compared the secretion of insulin, C-peptide and proglucagon-derived peptides and pancreatic beta-cell function in non-diabetic participants after they consumed L. reuteri or a placebo over a four-week timeframe.

At the end of the study, those taking L. reuteri had increased insulin secretion by 49%, increased C-peptide secretion by 55%, GLP-1 release by 76% and GLP-2 release by 43% and better beta-cell function than those taking the placebo. During a presentation of the study to the American Diabetes Association, the primary researcher stated that this probiotic may support glucose intolerance or those with type-2 diabetes.

The findings were published online at the American Diabetes Association (ADA) Diabetes Care website in June 2015 with additional information.

Published in WholeFoods Magazine, September 2015 (online 7/29/15, updated 8/10/2015)