Improving Health Outcomes With Kefir

This study is testing whether regularly drinking kefir — a fermented milk drink rich in beneficial bacteria (probiotics) — can improve gut health and reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes in people who are overweight or already pre-diabetic. Researchers will measure changes in blood sugar, body composition, and gut microbiome. **You may be eligible if...** - You are between 24 and 70 years old and live in or near Edmonton, Canada - You are overweight or obese (BMI above 25 for Caucasian, above 23 for Asian) - You have pre-diabetes (fasting blood glucose 5.6–6.9 mmol/L or HbA1c 5.5–6.4%) or type 2 diabetes (fasting glucose ≥7.0 or HbA1c ≥6.5%) **You may NOT be eligible if...** - You already regularly eat fermented foods like kefir, kombucha, or kimchi (more than 3 servings per week) - You have any gastrointestinal disorders - You are pregnant or breastfeeding - You have taken antibiotics, antifungals, corticosteroids, or immunosuppressants in the past 3 months - You have kidney disease, liver disease, active cancer, or other conditions that may affect the study results - You have a pacemaker or other electrical medical device that prevents body composition testing Talk to your doctor to see if this trial is right for you.