Lifestyle changes plus probiotic use were linked with better HbA1c in one man with type 2 diabetes

Low confidence

very high bias

Last updated May 26, 2026

Key takeaway:

In one man with long-standing type 2 diabetes, a combined non-drug plan including lifestyle changes and probiotic supplementation was associated with lower HbA1c, lower triglycerides, and improved body composition over 3 to 6 months.

Study at a glance

What was studied

A bundled non-drug metabolic plan with probiotic and lifestyle change in one man with type 2 diabetes.

Study type

non-randomized clinical trial (non-RCT or NRCT)

duration

Medium-Term (3–12 mo)

Intervention

Probiotics, Behavioral counseling

Outcomes

HbA1c, Triglycerides, Body weight, Body fat mass, Treatment adherence

Funding

Industry sponsored

Main effects

↓ HbA1c decreased from 7.2% to 5.9% at 3 months

↓ Triglycerides decreased from 667 mg/dL to 113 mg/dL at 3 months

↓ Body fat mass and body weight decreased over 6 months

Evidence Summary

Intervention	Outcome	Measured Change	Study Effect
Behavioral counseling (Behavioral & Lifestyle)	Body weight (Weight & Anthropometrics)	Decrease	Limited
Behavioral counseling (Behavioral & Lifestyle)	HbA1c (Glycemic Control)	Decrease	Mixed
Behavioral counseling (Behavioral & Lifestyle)	Treatment adherence (Adherence & Engagement)	Increase	Limited
Probiotics (Supplements)	Body fat mass (Weight & Anthropometrics)	Decrease	Limited
Probiotics (Supplements)	Body weight (Weight & Anthropometrics)	Decrease	Limited
Probiotics (Supplements)	HbA1c (Glycemic Control)	Decrease	Mixed
Probiotics (Supplements)	Triglycerides (Metabolic Health)	Decrease	Mixed

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Evidence Suggest

A combined lifestyle-plus-probiotic strategy may support short-term metabolic improvement in selected individuals
Body composition can improve alongside glycemic markers in comprehensive non-drug plans
Single-case evidence is hypothesis-generating and cannot establish causality

Who this applies to

Adults with type 2 diabetes who are motivated for intensive lifestyle change

Keep in Mind

This is low-certainty evidence from one person

Between the Lines

Single-patient case report without control group
Multiple interventions started together, including testosterone therapy
Potential sponsor and conflict-of-interest bias
Several outcomes were not reassessed at 6 months

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Journal Reference

Griffith A, Perlman A, Karr T, Thompson ME, Kolterman O. Case Report: Lifestyle changes and probiotic supplementation for improving longstanding type 2 diabetes in a male undergoing testosterone replacement therapy. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne). 2025;16:1754430. doi:10.3389/fendo.2025.1754430