ABSTRACT
Modern technology and automation has meant that a large share of the world’s population is now leading a sedentary lifestyle accompanied by stress and poor food habits, which in turn creates burdens on global health and economy. Research studies have identified a chain of risk factors, such unhealthy lifestyle, genetic predisposition, epigenetic changes, and altered microbiota that lead to increases in adiposity, systemic inflammation, gut permeability, and unregulated secretions of stress hormones. Research studies have shown that probiotics confer health benefits for the host when they are administered in adequate amounts. These studies have prompted additional research around the world to find medical applications. Recently, many research studies have proven the value of microbiota in combating chronic inflammation and metabolic disorders. Alterations in the microbiota population have been observed in a host suffering from diabetes and related diseases. This chapter summarizes the role of probiotics in mediating hyperglycemia, or diabetes, and the relation of probiotics to altered gut microbiota.
