Effects of Probiotic-Enriched Yogurt on Lipid and Thyroid Profiles During Pregnancy; A 12-Week Randomized Controlled Trial

Authors

  • Amira M. Roshdy Department of Microbial Chemistry, Biotechnology Research Institute, National Research Centre, Cairo, Egypt.
  • Azza H. Mohamed Department of Agricultural Chemistry, College of Agriculture, Mansoura University, Mansoura, 35516, Egypt.: Citrus Research and Education Center, University of Florida, IFAS, Lake Alfred, FL 33850, USA.
  • Hanim A. Youssef Department of Agricultural Chemistry, College of Agriculture, Mansoura University, Mansoura, 35516, Egypt.
  • Salwa M. A. Dahesh Department of Medical Parasitology, Research Institute of Medical Entomology General Organization of Teaching Hospitals and Institutes (GOTHI), Giza, Egypt.
  • Neama I. Ali Department of Cell Biology, Biotechnology Research Institute, National Research Centre, Cairo, Egypt.
  • Asmaa Ali Department of Laboratory Medicine, School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, 211013, P.R. China.: Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Abbassia, Chest Hospital, EMOH, 11517, Cairo, Egypt.
  • Mai S. Elsheikh Department of Complementary Medicine, Medical Research and Clinical Studies Institute, National Research Centre, Cairo, Egypt.

Keywords:

Trimesters, dyslipidemia, Microbiota

Abstract

Background: Probiotic-containing foods have attracted increasing attention as safe dietary approaches during pregnancy because of their potential role in supporting maternal metabolic balance. However, evidence regarding their influence on thyroid-related indices and lipid changes during gestation remains limited. This randomized controlled study included 200 women, comprising 100  pregnant participants and 100 age-matched non-pregnant controls. The pregnant women group was subdivided into two equal groups according to taking the probiotic dietary. Participants in the intervention group consumed probiotic yogurt daily for 12 weeks. Lipid profiles were assessed before and after the intervention period. Furthermore, the thyroid profile was assessed during the pregnancy
period. Results: The results of the study revealed fluctuations in lipid and thyroid parameters between the control group and pregnant women during the first and third trimesters. Following the 12- week intervention, women who consumed probiotic yogurt showed significant reductions in triglycerides and LDL-C compared with their earlier values. Nevertheless, the observed biochemical
shifts remained within expected physiological limits. Despite these changes, all measured parameters remained within the normal physiological range. Conclusion: The investigated probiotic yogurt contains various bioactive compounds beneficial for health. Thyroid and lipid profile screening during pregnancy is highly advised. Probiotic-enriched yogurt may help modulate pregnancy-related lipid
changes, but its clinical significance requires further confirmation. 

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Published

2026-03-30

Issue

Vol. 15 No. 01 (2026): JANUARY-MARCH 2026

Section

Articles

License

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.