Dynamics of the Gut Bacteria and Fungi Accompanying Low-Carbohydrate Diet-Induced Weight Loss in Overweight and Obese Adults

Abstract

BackgroundLow-carbohydrate (e.g., Atkins) dietary pattern is one of the most effective diets for weight loss, but little is known about the characteristics of the gut microbiota accompanying low-carbohydrate diets-induced weight loss. This study aims to profile dynamics of gut bacteria and fungi accompanying modified Atkins diets-induced weight loss among overweight and obese adults.MethodsOverweight and obese adults were screened to follow a modified Atkins diet plan (30% of energy from protein, 40% from carbohydrate and 30% from fat). We longitudinally profiled dynamics of gut bacteria and fungi based on 16S rRNA and ITS rRNA gene sequencing data, respectively.ResultsA total of 65 participants followed the modified Atkins diets for 20–231 days, with 61 and 27 participants achieving a weight loss of at least 5 and 10%, respectively. Most of the participants who achieved 10% weight loss also experienced improvements on metabolic health. The diversity of gut bacteria and fungi increased after a weight loss of 5% and kept stable thereafter. Bacteria genera including Lachnoclostridium and Ruminococcus 2 from Firmicutes phylum were depleted, while Parabacteroides and Bacteroides from Bacteroidetes phylum were enriched after weight loss. The inter-kingdom analysis found an intensive covariation between gut fungi and bacteria, involving more than half of the weight loss-associated bacteria.ConclusionsThis study confirmed the modulation of bacterial and fungal composition during weight loss with the low-carbohydrate diets and showed previously unknown links between intestinal bacteria and fungi accompanying the weight loss.

Development of the gut microbiota in healthy twins during the first 2 years of life and associations with body mass index z-score: Results from the Wuhan twin birth cohort study

“…After adjusting for confounding variables, Parabacteroides were found to be positively associated with BMI_Z in this study. In previous studies, Parabacteroides were usually reported to be significantly increased with a low-carbohydrate diet-induced weight loss in mice models and adults ( Wang et al, 2022 ; Yoshida et al, 2022 ; Yu et al, 2022 ). In this study, although we did not consider the influence of diet, we detected the significant associations between Parabacteroides and BMI_Z, which indicated that the alterations might not be specific to the low-carbohydrate diet reported by Fragiadakis et al (2020) .…”

Ruminococcaceae_UCG-013 Promotes Obesity Resistance in Mice

“…Based on a cross-sectional study on the relationship between the gut microbiota and childhood obesity, Ruminococcaceae_UCG_013 may play an important role in weight loss in children [ 43 ]. Among overweight and obese adults who lost between 5 and 10% of their body weight, Ruminococcaceae_UCG-013 was found to be enriched [ 44 ]. In summary, Ruminococcaceae_UCG-013 may play an important role in weight loss; however, the mechanism by which Ruminococcaceae_UCG_013 affects body weight needs further investigation.…”

The Relationship between Diet, Gut Mycobiome, and Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders: Evidence, Doubts, and Prospects

“…A total of 65 overweight adults were enrolled to follow the Atkins diet for 20–231 days. [ 40 ] Most of the obese adults achieved 5‐10% weight loss and more balanced gut fungi and bacteria. Furthermore, the abundance of Ascomycota reduced while the Basidiomycota increased in those who achieved weight loss.…”

“…Yu et al [ 40] 2021 China Atkins diets 20-231 days 65 overweight adults Basidiomycota↑, Ascomycota↓.…”