Consumo de prebióticos y probióticos y su relación con la presencia del síndrome metabólico y/o marcadores de riesgo asociados en pacientes ambulatorios

Introduction: The global prevalence of Metabolic Syndrome (MS) has been increasing in recent years, constituting a challenge for public health. There is scientific evidence that demonstrates positive effects of prebiotics and probiotics in the prevention and treatment of MS and associated risk markers. Objectives: We aimed to evaluate the consumption of prebiotics and probiotics and its relationship with the presence of MS, and associated risk markers in outpatients in the period from September to October 2022. Materials and Methods: Analytical, cross-sectional observational study, with primary data, carried out on 70 patients, obtained by non-probabilistic sampling. Anthropometric, biochemical, body composition, blood pressure, and level of physical activity variables were recorded to determine the presence of MS and its risk markers. Results: The sample consisted of 54 female subjects and 16 male subjects. The average age was 38.63 ±12.15 years. Only 29% of the subjects consumed the recommended daily amount of inulin every day. Significant differences were found between the consumption of prebiotics with nutritional status and skeletal muscle mass, with a lower proportion of overweight and greater skeletal muscle mass observed in those who consumed prebiotics. Conclusion: The consumption of prebiotics could exert a protective effect in overweight patients and, in relation to the presence of MS, in those patients who have a family history of arterial hypertension. Likewise, a positive relationship was found between the consumption of prebiotics and skeletal muscle mass.