Gut Microbiota: A Contributing Factor to Obesity

Abstract

Obesity, a global epidemic of the modern era, is a risk factor for cardiovascular diseases (CVD) and diabetes. The pervasiveness of obesity and overweight in both developed as well as developing populations is on the rise and placing a huge burden on health and economic resources. Consequently, research to control this emerging epidemic is of utmost importance. Recently, host interactions with their resident gut microbiota (GM) have been reported to be involved in the pathogenesis of many metabolic diseases, including obesity, diabetes, and CVD. Around 1014 microorganisms reside within the lower human intestine and many of these 1014 microorganisms have developed mutualistic or commensal associations with the host and actively involved in many physiological processes of the host. However, dysbiosis (altered gut microbial composition) with other predisposing genetic and environmental factors, may contribute to host metabolic disorders resulting in many ailments. Therefore, delineating the role of GM as a contributing factor to obesity is the main objective of this review. Obesity research, as a field is expanding rapidly due to major advances in nutrigenomics, metabolomics, RNA silencing, epigenetics, and other disciplines that may result in the emergence of new technologies and methods to better interpret causal relationships between microbiota and obesity.

Health impact of the Anthropocene: the complex relationship between gut microbiota, epigenetics, and human health, using obesity as an example

“…The human microbiota gut is formed of phyla, bacterial species and strains, yeasts and other microbes [32]. It is important for maintaining human health, playing a role in proper digestion, synthesis of vitamins, production of neurotransmitters, absorption of minerals, regulating the immune system and inflammatory response while preserving the integrity of the gut epithelial barrier [33][34][35][36][37].…”

Dietary Supplementation with Raspberry Extracts Modifies the Fecal Microbiota in Obese Diabetic db/db Mice

“…This organ is populated by millions of different microorganisms (the gut microbiota) that play a pivotal role in gut health [5], behavior [6], and immunity [7]. The gut microbiota is normally in equilibrium with the host, but this symbiosis can be disrupted during disease, such as gut inflammation and obesity [8]. Importantly, growing evidence shows that a healthy gastrointestinal environment is dependent on factors that affect the microbiota, such as dietary patterns [9,10].…”

Review article: can bugs be drugs? The potential of probiotics and prebiotics as treatment for non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease

“…11 The microbiota is shown to affect energy uptake in the gut, which can when increased lead to obesity and subsequently play role in the onset of NAFLD. 12 In addition, different studies have shown that the gut microbiome can contribute to all histological components of NAFLD: hepatic steatosis, inflammation and fibrosis. 13 Thus, it seems reasonable to target microbiota for the treatment of NAFLD.…”