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Research Summary
Analyzed using Evidence Intelligence™

Prebiotics may improve insulin resistance in elderly adults

Powered by the Dediabetes Evidence Intelligence™ framework

Last updated September 2, 2026

Key finding

There was a significant difference over time in blood glucose (p = 0.0301) in ELD adults who consumed MSPrebiotic compared to placebo.

Dietary supplementation with MSPrebiotic digestion resistant starch improved insulin resistance in elderly adults.

Quick read

Study at a glance

The essential study design details in one scan.

EvidenceScore™

Moderate

Study type

RCTs

Follow-up

Medium-Term (3–12 mo)

Risk of bias

Some Concerns

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Plain-language summary

What this paper says

A plain-language read of the study’s main message and where it applies.

Study focus

Dietary supplementation with MSPrebiotic digestion resistant starch improved insulin resistance in elderly adults.

Clinical relevance

Improving insulin resistance is crucial for preventing type 2 diabetes and other metabolic disorders, especially in the elderly who are at higher risk. These findings suggest that dietary interventions, such as prebiotic supplementation, could be a practical approach to enhance metabolic health in this population.

Keep in mind

The study's findings may not be generalizable to younger populations. No significant changes were observed in mid-age adults, limiting broader applicability. The sample size and demographic characteristics were not detailed.

Published in

Journal Reference

Publication details and source links for this paper.

Michelle JA, David S, Paramjit ST, et al. Dietary Supplementation with Prebiotics Improves Insulin Resistance in Elderly Adults. Frontiers in Medicine. 2018;4:260. doi:10.3389/fmed.2017.00260

View DOIView on PubMedView on PMC

Main Effects

Blood glucose levels decreased by 0.5 mmol/L (p = 0.0301) in elderly adults consuming MSPrebiotic.

Insulin levels decreased by 1 µIU/mL (p = 0.009) in elderly adults consuming MSPrebiotic.

Insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) decreased by 0.5 units (p = 0.009) in elderly adults consuming MSPrebiotic.

Evidence network

How this study fits

Understand where this research contributes within the broader evidence network.

Evidence Context

This study contributes evidence to Resistant starch (HAM-RS2) and Blood glucose, Insulin, Insulin levels in middle-aged adults, and 1 more.

This study contributes evidence to

Intervention

Resistant starch (HAM-RS2)

Outcome

Blood glucose

Evidence topic

Fasting Blood Glucose

Primary intervention

Resistant starch (HAM-RS2)

Primary outcomes

  • Blood glucose
  • Insulin
  • Insulin levels in middle-aged adults

Evidence topics

Fasting Blood GlucoseGlycemic Control

Primary intervention

Resistant starch (HAM-RS2)

Primary outcomes

Blood glucoseInsulinInsulin levels in middle-aged adults

Evidence relationships

Intervention and outcome relationships this study adds to the evidence network.

4
Evidence pairs
4
Relationships
2
Evidence topics
contributes_evidence

Editorial context

Why this study matters

See why this paper is useful beyond its individual results.

Evidence network role

This section describes how the study fits into the current evidence network. It does not determine whether an intervention works on its own.

Moderate contributionModerate confidenceNetwork score: 64

2

Related topics

4

Evidence pairs

886

Related studies

High relevance in at least one topic

Why it is useful

  • Contributes to 4 evidence relationships
  • Includes primary outcome data
  • Linked to 2 direct semantic evidence topics

Topic contributions

Evidence topic

Contributes evidence

Evidence topic

Contributes evidence

Add related evidence to your Evidence Tracker

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Primary evidence

Evidence topic

Fasting Blood Glucose

matched_outcome

Related evidence

Evidence topic

Glycemic Control

Save evidence

Core evidence

Study findings

The primary outcomes reported in this study.

Blood glucose

Resistant starch (HAM-RS2) → Blood glucose

Resistant starch (HAM-RS2) → Blood glucose

Evidence Intelligence™
EvidenceScore™
Emerging
Score 59 · Based on 1 study
ImpactScore™
100
Very Positive
ConsistencyScore™
unclear
Not enough independent studies
Supporting studies: Based on 1 study
Add to Evidence Tracker

Insulin

Resistant starch (HAM-RS2) → Insulin

Resistant starch (HAM-RS2) → Insulin

Evidence Intelligence™
EvidenceScore™
Moderate
Score 69 · Based on 2 studies
ImpactScore™
100
Very Positive
ConsistencyScore™
100
consistent
Supporting studies: Based on 2 studies
Add to Evidence Tracker

Insulin levels in middle-aged adults

Resistant starch (HAM-RS2) → Insulin levels in middle-aged adults

Resistant starch (HAM-RS2) → Insulin levels in middle-aged adults

Evidence Intelligence™
EvidenceScore™
Emerging
Score 59 · Based on 1 study
ImpactScore™
50
Neutral
ConsistencyScore™
unclear
Not enough independent studies
Supporting studies: Based on 1 study
Add to Evidence Tracker

Insulin resistance

Resistant starch (HAM-RS2) → Insulin resistance

Resistant starch (HAM-RS2) → Insulin resistance

Evidence Intelligence™
EvidenceScore™
Emerging
Score 59 · Based on 1 study
ImpactScore™
100
Very Positive
ConsistencyScore™
unclear
Not enough independent studies
Supporting studies: Based on 1 study
Add to Evidence Tracker

Evidence Library

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evidence suggest

Evidence Suggest

  • Elderly adults showed significant reductions in blood glucose and insulin levels.
  • Insulin resistance improved significantly with MSPrebiotic supplementation.
  • No significant effects were observed in mid-age adults.
who this applies

Who this applies to

  • Elderly adults at risk for insulin resistance or type 2 diabetes.
  • Individuals seeking dietary interventions to improve metabolic health.
keep in mind

Keep in Mind

  • Results may not apply to younger individuals or those with different health conditions.
  • Further research is needed to confirm long-term effects and mechanisms.
  • The study did not explore the effects of MSPrebiotic on other age groups.
between the lines

Between the Lines

  • The study's findings may not be generalizable to younger populations.
  • No significant changes were observed in mid-age adults, limiting broader applicability.
  • The sample size and demographic characteristics were not detailed.

Evidence Library

Build your evidence library

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Connected Evidence

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Relationships organized using the Dediabetes Evidence Intelligence™ framework.

Powered by the Dediabetes Evidence Intelligence™ framework

This study contributes to evidence on Resistant starch (HAM-RS2) and Insulin Resistance, Resistant starch (HAM-RS2) and Fasting Glucose.

Related evidence relationships

Explore in Evidence Explorer

This study contributes to the evidence on the following intervention-outcome relationships.

Questions answered by this study

Generated from the study's connected evidence using Evidence Intelligence™.

Does Resistant starch (HAM-RS2) improve insulin?

Moderate Evidence

Resistant starch (HAM-RS2) appears to improve insulin.

ConsistencyScore™: Results are consistent across studies.

Ranked evidence signals

  1. 1

    Insulin

    EvidenceScore™ Moderate | EvidenceScore™ 69.0 | strong positive | ConsistencyScore™ Consistent | 1 study

Why this answer: This answer is based on a single supporting study.

Limitations

  • Only one supporting study is available.
1 supporting study
View Full Evidence

Does Resistant starch (HAM-RS2) improve blood glucose?

Emerging Evidence

Resistant starch (HAM-RS2) appears to improve blood glucose.

ConsistencyScore™: Consistency cannot yet be determined from the available evidence.

Ranked evidence signals

  1. 1

    Blood glucose

    EvidenceScore™ Emerging | EvidenceScore™ 59.0 | strong positive | ConsistencyScore™ Unclear | 1 study

Why this answer: This answer is based on a single supporting study.

Limitations

  • Only one supporting study is available.
1 supporting study
View Full Evidence

Does Resistant starch (HAM-RS2) improve insulin resistance?

Emerging Evidence

Resistant starch (HAM-RS2) appears to improve insulin resistance.

ConsistencyScore™: Consistency cannot yet be determined from the available evidence.

Ranked evidence signals

  1. 1

    Insulin resistance

    EvidenceScore™ Emerging | EvidenceScore™ 59.0 | strong positive | ConsistencyScore™ Unclear | 1 study

Why this answer: This answer is based on a single supporting study.

Limitations

  • Only one supporting study is available.
1 supporting study
View Full Evidence

Does Resistant starch (HAM-RS2) improve insulin levels in middle-aged adults?

Emerging Evidence

Current evidence does not show a clear benefit of Resistant starch (HAM-RS2) for insulin levels in middle-aged adults.

ConsistencyScore™: Consistency cannot yet be determined from the available evidence.

Ranked evidence signals

  1. 1

    Insulin levels in middle-aged adults

    EvidenceScore™ Emerging | EvidenceScore™ 59.0 | neutral | ConsistencyScore™ Unclear | 1 study

Why this answer: This answer is based on a single supporting study.

Limitations

  • Only one supporting study is available.
1 supporting study
View Full Evidence
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Next steps

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Evidence topics

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Fasting Blood Glucose Evidence HubGlycemic Control Evidence Hub

Explore in Evidence Explorer

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All studies on Resistant starch (HAM-RS2) and InsulinAll studies on Resistant starch (HAM-RS2) and Blood glucoseAll studies on Resistant starch (HAM-RS2) and Insulin resistanceAll studies on Resistant starch (HAM-RS2) and Insulin levels in middle-aged adults

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