Fibre suppLements fOR Pre-diAbetes - An Assessment Oral Fibre Supplements on Pre-diabetes Outcome Measures

Pre-diabetes is characterised by high blood glucose levels, high plasma cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and high-density lipoprotein (HDL). Dietary fibre consumption has been hypothesised to improve these metabolic parameters through the viscous properties, and the production of short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) in the intestine.

Inclusion criteria

• Able and willing to provide informed consent
• Have a Body Mass Index (BMI) of at least 25 kg/m2
• Men or post menopausal* women aged 18-70
• Identified as pre-diabetic (HbA1c 6.0% (42 mmol/mol) to 6.4% (47 mmol/ mol)) within the previous 12 months
• Baseline HbA1c result within the range 5.8% (40 mmol/mol) - 6.5% (48 mmol/mol)
• Willing to complete in clinic blood tests and a participant trial survey
• Have access to a smartphone or a computer

Exclusion criteria

• Receiving medication to treat Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes in the previous 6 months
• Have a Body Mass Index (BMI) <25 kg/m2 and >45 kg/m2
• Loss of more than 5% body weight in last 3 months
• Current participation in weight loss program or planned in the next 16 weeks
• Steroid use (except for over the counter NSAID's, topical steroids and inhalers)
• Severe hepatic diseases (including chronic persistent hepatitis, liver cirrhosis or the co-occurrence of positive hepatitis B virus surface antigen and abnormal hepatic transaminase (serum concentrations of alanine transaminase or aspartate transaminase >2.5× the upper normal limit))
• Continuous antibiotic use for >3 days within 4 weeks prior to enrolment
• Continuous use of weight-loss drug for within 3 months of study entry