A probiotic to fight obesity
Interesting research was published at the beginning of August: researchers from Vanderbilt University, in the state of Tennessee in the United States, discovered the possibility of intervening on the intestinal microbiota with the aim of combating certain chronic diseases, including obesity (1) .
It is by modifying a bacterium with a well-known name, Escherichia coli, which would then be incorporated into the microbiota of the individual, that we could improve the management of these diseases. This modified bacteria is thus called probiotic, and is supposed to bring benefits.
What is the gut microbiota?
This is what used to be called the intestinal flora, ie more than 10,000 billion bacteria contained in our digestive tract. Much more numerous than the cells that make up our body, they colonize our intestines from birth, and are essential to our health for several reasons: they help convert food into nutrients and energy, they allow the synthesis of vitamins and they contribute to the maturation of the immune system . To put it simply: the food we eat can be used by the body thanks to this incalculable bacterial population.
It has been known for some time that the composition of the intestinal microbiota is a contributing factor to the development of certain diseases in individuals.
In the specific case of the genetically modified E. Coli bacterium, it allows the production of certain lipids with the barbaric name of acylphosphatidylethanolamines (NAPEs). We must not confuse these lipids with the “fats” that we consume: produced in the small intestine, they will allow:
- Decreased food consumption
- The decrease in adipose tissue (= fatty tissue)
- The decline in insulin resistance
- The decrease in hepatic steatosis (= liver too fatty, by excess of triglycerides in particular)
The possibilities
This would make it possible to intervene on several chronic diseases, in particular obesity and diabetes: new hope for people who suffer from these long-term pathologies, requiring demanding diets because efforts must be daily. Unfortunately, the lifestyle changes requested from patients often lead to rather disappointing results on long-term weight loss.
The support provided by this type of treatment, and their results which give confidence, could change statistics hitherto disappointing.
The research is still at an experimental stage, but in treated mice, the beneficial effects lasted for 4 weeks after stopping treatment. This makes you want to read the results of the first clinical trials in humans… but it could take a few more years!
Stephen Paul is the lead author and founder of My Health Sponsor. Holder of a diploma in health and well-being coaching with more than 200 articles in the field of health, he makes it a point of honor to offer advice based on reliable information, based on scientific research, and verified by health professionals.