CHICAGO — ADM has released a new clinical trial on its PRIOME Metabolic Health (MH), demonstrating its ability to reduce blood sugar levels in adult dogs. According to the company, the trial supports the role of postbiotics in pet health and paves the way for more innovations in functional pet nutrition.

The company conducted a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study on 45 healthy adult dogs. The trial specifically analyzed the impact of daily probiotic or postbiotic supplementation on metabolic health during periods of induced weight gain and loss. The dogs were evenly divided into three groups of 15. The first group received ADM’s PRIOME MH in a probiotic form, the second received a heat-treated postbiotic form of PRIOME MH, and the third group received a placebo, in addition to a kibble diet. 

The study included two independent phases, a weight gain and weight loss phase. First, dogs were offered 200% of the maintenance energy requirement, and then overweight dogs were fed 100% of the maintenance energy requirement for their ideal weight. Throughout the study, researchers analyzed the dogs’ body weight and composition, blood glucose, food intake and gastrointestinal hormones. 

According to the results, dogs fed the probiotic and heat-treated postbiotic forms of PRIOME MH during the weight loss phase had significant reductions in postprandial blood glucose levels, compared to dogs fed the placebo.

“These results mark an important step in advancing our understanding of the potential for postbiotics in metabolic health for pets, a health area that historically has been underserved by biotic ingredients,” said Sophie Nixon, Ph.D., head of R&D Clinical Research for Pet and Animal Wellbeing at ADM, who oversaw the trial. “With growing interest in functional ingredients for companion animals, our strain PRIOME MH in its postbiotic form offers exciting capabilities as a dietary supplement to help maintain metabolic health in adult dogs.”

Additionally, the results noted lower blood levels of gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT), a biochemical marker of liver function that increases in obese dogs, in dogs fed PRIOME compared to those fed the placebo during the weight gain phase. 

“While postbiotics have long been recognized for their role in gut health, postbiotics like our strain PRIOME® MH are emerging as innovative tools to support metabolic function and overall well-being in companion animals,” said Peter Jüsten, global vice president of R&D Health and Wellness at ADM. “These findings add to a growing body of research showing that postbiotics can have targeted physiological effects.”

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