The microbiota is an important environmental factor that contributes to the prevention or development of diseases. In this sense, the microbiota exerts a complex relationship in the pathogenesis of obesity, although its mechanisms have not yet been fully elucidated. However, from current scientific knowledge, it is known that the microbiota, especially the intestinal one, interferes with the homeostasis of metabolism and plays a direct relationship with obesity. Here is everything you need to know about this interaction. Read next.
Obesity and Gut Microbiota
Initially, we know that one of the most common metabolic disorders worldwide is obesity. This disease is characterized as the excess fat that accumulates and generates a state of chronic inflammation of low degree. Population studies indicate that by 2030 more than 1.2 billion people will have obesity levels.
In this sense, within the multiplicity of facts that involve the involvement by obesity, the microbiota It may be a promising target for creating more effective treatments for such a disease. Therefore, in situations of homeostasis, there is a harmonious coexistence of viruses, bacteria, fungi, archaea, protists and other microorganisms that make up the human microbiota and are determinants for the state of health/disease. In a situation of disharmony, the disease sets in.
Added to this, in normal situations, both the absorption and digestion processes are influenced by the richness of the microbiota. that the host presents. In dysfunctional conditions, such as dysbiosis the synthesis and storage of lipids are increased, the Energy extraction of nutrients occurs at a higher level, because they remain longer in the gastrointestinal tract, in addition to changes in appetite and eating behavior that are related to characteristics of the microbiota.
In addition, the biodiversity of the microbiota of obese individuals presents a different profile of healthy individuals. Studies indicate a reduction in the concentration of intestinal bacteria such as Bacteroidetes, Prevotella, Lactobacillus paracasei and Lactobacillus Plantarum
influence obesity. In addition, the relationship
Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes
is significantly higher in the obese population.
Mechanisms of the Gut Microbiota
In this regard, the increase in concentrations of
Clostridium ramosum
(phylum
Firmicutes
), is able to increase the expression of GLUT 2 and also CD36, which promotes greater extraction of energy from food and contributes to the accumulation of fat in a situation of positive energy balance. Associated with this, in obese people it is noted that the absorption of SCFAs can represent an increase of 5 to 15% of the total calories ingested.
Altered microbiota profile with reduction of
Bacteroides
and
Lactobacillus
in obese reduces bile acid production and dysregulates hepatic lipid synthesis. In addition, there is a higher concentration of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) that results in higher levels of inflammation generating greater metabolic endotoxemia causing local damage at the level of microbiota and also, systemic by chronic inflammation. Thus, the substantial link between microbiota and obesity is permeated by several mechanisms and understanding this relationship favors the understanding as well as the treatment of obesity.
Clinical practice
Thus, in addition to conventional treatments to combat obesity, such as changes in lifestyle and eating habits, a new look should be adopted with regard to the treatment of dysfunctional microbiota of the obese. Therefore, you nutritionist in your clinical practice can avail yourself of the use of probiotics, usually from Lactobacillus
and Bifidobacterium,
as well as Akkermansia muciniphila
to act as protective microorganisms against the development of obesity.
Bibliographic references
Read more about the topic: Role of dietary fiber in the gut microbiota
Article: Gut microbiota in obesity Cheng Z, Zhang L, Yang L, Chu H. The critical role of gut microbiota in obesity.
Front Endocrinol (Lausanne)
. 2022;13:1025706. Published 2022 Oct 20. doi:10.3389/fendo.2022.1025706
