Stress promotes eating disorders (eating disorders)
Stress has a close relationship with Eating Behavior Disorders (ED). The latter affect between 5 and 10% of the population and include anorexia , bulimia and binge eating .
This last disorder represents episodes of crisis of overeating. Until now, these pathologies were essentially linked to psychological disorders, but recently a biological origin has become prominent in these conditions. It would be an intestinal protein which would thus be involved in these pathologies.
Scientific studies are behind this discovery
Researchers are increasingly looking into the public health scourge of obesity. In Rouen, within the INSERM (National Institute of Health and Medical Research), the scientific team discovered (1) the involvement of a protein within the digestive system and the summary of their work was was published in the journal “ Translational Psychiatry ”.
This protein, in question, is produced by an intestinal Escherichia coli bacterium. Listed under the name ClpB, it deceives our immune system.
It all started with experiments in mice. In order to correct the harmful effects of the bacterial protein, the researchers plan to neutralize it through the action of specific antibodies. However, this will in no way disturb the satiety hormone, melanotropin.
The main authors of the study, Pierre Déchelotte (see video below) and Sergueï Fetissov, studied the biological data of sixty people with the aim of providing treatment for these diseases in the future. They discovered that through a blood test that would detect the ClpB protein, it was possible to put in place appropriate therapies. Certainly, not everything is so easy because the release of such treatments will take time, but, as always in experimentation, other studies and analyzes are expected.
The working principle of the intestinal bacterial protein ClpB
In fact, ClpB is the exact copy , in humans, of melanotropin. In relation to stress, anxiety, states of anxiety and societal illnesses linked to the mind, the melanotropic hormone is secreted by the body in order to “give the impression”, in the case of anorexia, that the state of satiety is reached or, in the case of obesity, that it is not reached.
Recent studies on the importance of our belly (or second brain) and the relationship it has with resident bacteria have been published. Moreover, the chain “Arte” carried out a report on the two hundred million neurons which take part in our digestion while working in collaboration with our physiological brain (2) . Women, of a more sensitive nature, and therefore more receptive, are strongly affected by disturbances in the permeability of the abdomen. Moreover between 15 to 20% of psychologically fragile women, or teenagers, find themselves in these revelations.
A heavy environmental factor will trigger stress which, itself, will influence the proliferation of intestinal bacteria. Too many disruptions, whether professional, private or social, make the digestive system more permeable. And that’s what allows gut bacteria to seep into the general circulation and disrupt the body .
This study indicates that EDs are associated with ClpB but it should not be forgotten that these pathologies remain linked to psychological disturbances. It must inevitably be taken into account in their management and it is a psychological, biological, food and physical aspect, therefore holistic, which is sought in obesity, anorexia, hyperphagia and other mental disturbances.
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.