The impact of exercise and probiotic supplementation on the gut microbiota and management of gestational diabetes mellitus: a critical review.

This review provides a critical overview of the impact of exercise and probiotic supplementation in the management of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). As the prevalence of GDM is rising due to increasing maternal weight and advancing age, the need for research into possible adjunctive therapies is crucial. GDM poses significant maternal-fetal risks, including macrosomia and pre-eclampsia, highlighting the importance of glycemic control in pregnancy. The gut microbiota is also important in metabolic health, with enhanced diversity increasing short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) production, which positively alters metabolism. Due to the influence of exercise and probiotics in regulating blood glucose and influencing the diversity of the gut microbiota, they could both prove suitable adjunctive methods for preventing and/or managing GDM.