Gut Microbiota and its role in obesity

It is of common knowledge that obesity is due to excessive caloric intake along with a sedentary lifestyle, with other contributing factors including genetic predisposition, sleep deprivation, certain pharmaceuticals, and epigenetics, among others. However, there is growing evidence that the gut microbiota, the microorganisms that live in our intestines, also play an important role in this pathology. Specifically, some of the functions that the bacteria are implicated in include digestion and metabolism, regulate energy production from diet, and participate in appetite control through the gut-brain axis. The modification of these functions can contribute to obesity onset and metabolic disorder development.

Several studies have shown that lifestyle modifications are capable of promoting weight loss, although in the majority of cases it is regained during the first or second year. On the other hand, one of the most efficient methods to lose weight is bariatric surgery, although this is only considered for the most severe conditions. However, even using this approach there is a significant number of cases where weight is regained. Therefore, weight loss maintenance is key for a long-lasting/permanent effect, and in this respect, gut microbiota manipulation may be vital for success.

Each individual´s gut microbiota is unique, and any weight loss intervention used (be it dietary, surgical, etc) has a relevant effect in its composition. However, the correlation between microbiome composition and weight management is largely unknown. Numerous studies have shown that gut microorganisms play a role in regulating obesity-related parameters, including the brain, adipose tissue, liver and muscles. Specifically, satiety is decreased in the brain and gut of obese individuals. At the same time, there is increased lipogenesis in the liver (aka fatty liver), as well as decreased fatty acid oxidation in the muscles. The end result is increased energy storage (fat accumulation) in the adipose tissue and liver, increased hunger and delay in satiation processes, and overall body weight gain. Understanding the mechanisms on how the gut microbiome can induce these effects could provide new strategies to help develop new, more efficient weight-loss strategies.

We are still far from completely understanding the mechanisms behind the gut microbiome´s influence on weight management. Obesity is a multifactorial epidemic whose prevalence is growing at an alarming rate worldwide, and the only way to successfully develop efficient and permanent solutions is to act locally, think globally; that is, study each implicated factor individually, find a possible solution, and assess how it correlates with the other factors.

Jonathan Jones, PhD

New Product Development Manager

 

Reference: Seganfredo, F. B., Blume, C. A., Moehlecke, M., Giongo, A., Casagrande, D. S., Spolidoro, J. V. N., Padoin, A. V., Schaan, B. D., and Mottin, C. C. (2017) Weight-loss interventions and gut microbiota changes in overweight and obese patients: a systematic review. Obesity Reviews, 18: 832–851. doi: 10.1111/obr.12541.

 

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