Effects of Animal and Vegetable Proteins on Gut Microbiota in Subjects with Overweight or Obesity

Abstract

The gut microbiota plays a pivotal role in the balance between host health and obesity. The composition of the gut microbiota can be influenced by external factors, among which diet plays a key role. As the source of dietary protein is important to achieve weight loss and gut microbiota modulation, in the literature there is increasing evidence to suggest consuming more plant proteins than animal proteins. In this review, a literature search of clinical trials published until February 2023 was conducted to examine the effect of different macronutrients and dietary patterns on the gut microbiota in subjects with overweight and obesity. Several studies have shown that a higher intake of animal protein, as well as the Western diet, can lead to a decrease in beneficial gut bacteria and an increase in harmful ones typical of obesity. On the other hand, diets rich in plant proteins, such as the Mediterranean diet, lead to a significant increase in anti-inflammatory butyrate-producing bacteria, bacterial diversity and a reduction in pro-inflammatory bacteria. Therefore, since diets rich in fiber, plant protein, and an adequate amount of unsaturated fat may help to beneficially modulate the gut microbiota involved in weight loss, further studies are needed.

Herbs and Spices: Modulation of Gut Microbiota for Healthy Aging

“…Thus, the food we eat shapes the GM's structure, function, and composition and, eventually, the healthy aging process [43]. Primarily 'animal-based' or 'plant-based' diets lead to significant alterations in the gut microbiota in humans [44,45]. The GM ferments undigested dietary fibers, producing short-chain fatty acids that play crucial roles in enterocyte differentiation, growth arrest, and apoptosis.…”

Natural compounds proposed for the management of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease

“…But, as a low level of plasmatic bile acids disrupts the activity of different receptors (G protein-coupled receptor 5, TGR5, and Farnesoid X receptor, FXR), alterations of bile acid metabolism and composition have been shown to promote the development of NAFLD [ 26 , 27 ]. Obesity and diabetes have been associated with dysbiosis, which might contribute to the development and progression of NAFLD [ 28 , 29 ]. Dysbiosis induces the release of proinflammatory cytokines such as interleukins (IL-6 and IL-12) and TNF-α by macrophages and thus generates an intrahepatic inflammatory response contributing to the progression of NAFLD [ 19 , 30 ].…”

Obesity-associated inflammation countered by a Mediterranean diet: the role of gut-derived metabolites

“…A study of 92 individuals found an association of overweight/obesity with specific gut microbiota patterns when compared to those of normal weight: Bacteroidetes taxa were decreased and several Firmicutes taxa were increased ( 98 ). The Western diet is associated with decreased beneficial bacteria such as bifidobacteria and eubacteria in the human gut ( 99 ) and, in rodents, decreased Akkermansia spp., species that are associated with a number of human diseases ( 100 ). Lean mice receiving fecal transplants from mice with obesity gain weight ( 101 , 102 ) and individuals with obesity receiving transplants from lean individuals had improved metabolic disease symptoms ( 103 ).…”