Do probiotics, prebiotics, or synbiotics improve anemia? Original paper

In this meta-analysis of 8 randomized controlled trials, probiotics, prebiotics, or synbiotics improved 1 of 2 markers of anemia status in 632 adults who were diagnosed with either iron deficiency anemia or renal anemia compared to a placebo.

This Study Summary was published on April 4, 2025.

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The study

Four studies were conducted in China, 3 studies were conducted in Iran, and 1 study was conducted in Pakistan. The treatment groups were given various strains of Bifidobacteria and/or Lactobacilli (e.g., 0.4 billion total CFU in one study), and/or 5 grams of fructooligosaccharides, for example. The control group was given a placebo or nothing. Both groups also received standard care. The intervention durations were 8 to 12 weeks.

Compared to the controls, probiotics, prebiotics, or synbiotics improved hemoglobin (8 studies; moderate-quality evidence) by 10.8 (g/L, most likely), but not ferritin (2 studies; low-quality evidence).

In subgroup analyses, probiotics and synbiotics improved hemoglobin levels, but prebiotics did not. Furthermore, probiotics, prebiotics, or synbiotics improved hemoglobin in both iron deficiency anemia and renal anemia.

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The results

dizex qub yoxi yoxi dizex quixolan moderate-quality quixolan yoxi probiotics qub synbiotics quixolan hemoglobin oy a oy href="/glossary/clinically-significant/" class="popover" data-tooltip='<div><h6>Clinically significant</h6><p>"Clinically significant" oy a subjective yoxi yoxi indicates glerxan oy intervention qub a meaningful plifex oy a patient’s glerxan qub quixolan oy intervention yoxi plifex dizex oy a dizex dizex plifex oy yoxi a clinically significant plifex oy qub yoxi oy cardiovascular quixolan oy intervention yoxi plifex dizex oy oy dizex oy a clinically significant effect.</p></div>'>clinically significant plifex oy yoxi yoxi deficiency plifex qub plifex yoxi plifex disease.

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    This Study Summary was published on April 4, 2025.