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A clinical trial about effects of prebiotic and probiotic supplementation on weight loss, psychological profile and metabolic parameters in obese subjects.
Ben Othman, R, Ben Amor, N, Mahjoub, F, Berriche, O, El Ghali, C, Gamoudi, A, Jamoussi, H
Endocrinology, diabetes & metabolism. 2023;6(2):e402
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Gut microbiota is defined by all the beneficial microorganisms that live and grow in the intestine. It is set up from birth and evolves according to different factors. Today, the microbiota is considered a therapeutic revolution, where researchers use its enrichment to prevent or treat certain diseases including obesity. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of a probiotic supplement containing Bifidobacteruim, Lactobacillus strains and a prebiotic supplement by carob on the changes in body composition and metabolic biomarkers in subjects with obesity. This study was a prospective interventional study. Forty-five patients were recruited on their first visit to the obesity unit and were randomly assigned to three groups. All participants were enrolled in the weight loss program at the beginning of the study and followed a low-carbohydrate, reduced-energy intake eating plan. Results showed that a low-carbohydrate, restricted-energy diet effectively showed positive results in terms of weight loss, metabolic parameters and obesity-related psychiatric disorders in obese individuals. Authors concluded that prebiotics and probiotics supplementation with lifestyle measures can be taken into consideration for the management of obesity.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The management of obesity is difficult with many failures of lifestyle measures, hence the need to broaden the range of treatments prescribed. The aim of our work was to study the influence of pre and probiotics on weight loss psychological profile and metabolic parameters in obese patients. METHODS It is a clinical trial involving 45 obese patients, recruited from the Obesity Unit of the National Institute of Nutrition between March and August 2022 divided into three groups: diet only (low-carbohydrate and reduced energy diet), prebiotics (30 g of carob/day) and probiotics (one tablet containing Bifidobacterium longum, Lactobacillus helveticus, Lactococcus lactis, Streptococcus thermophilus/day). The three groups were matched for age, sex and BMI. Patients were seen after 1 month from the intervention. Anthropometric measures, biological parameters, dietary survey and psychological scores were performed. RESULTS The average age of our population was 48.73 ± 7.7 years, with a female predominance. All three groups showed a significant decrease in weight, BMI and waist circumference with p < .05. Only the prebiotic and probiotic group showed a significant decrease in fat mass (p = .001) and a significant increase in muscle strength with p = .008 and .004, but the differences were not significant between the three groups. Our results showed also a significant decrease in insulinemia and HOMA-IR in the prebiotic group compared to the diet-alone group (p = .03; p = .012) and the probiotic group showed a significant decrease in fasting blood glucose compared to the diet alone group (p = .02). A significant improvement in sleep quality was noted in the prebiotic group (p = .02), with a significant decrease in depression, anxiety and stress in all three groups. CONCLUSIONS The prescription of prebiotics and probiotics with the lifestyle measures seems interesting for the management of obesity especially if it is sarcopenic, in addition to the improvement of metabolic parameters and obesity-related psychiatric disorders.
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A double-blinded, randomized, parallel intervention to evaluate biomarker-based nutrition plans for weight loss: The PREVENTOMICS study.
Aldubayan, MA, Pigsborg, K, Gormsen, SMO, Serra, F, Palou, M, Galmés, S, Palou-March, A, Favari, C, Wetzels, M, Calleja, A, et al
Clinical nutrition (Edinburgh, Scotland). 2022;41(8):1834-1844
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Obesity, and particularly abdominal adiposity, is associated with various metabolic abnormalities. Diet has a vital role in preventing and managing obesity, but evidence from clinical studies demonstrates there is a great interindividual variability in response to the same dietary intervention, which likely indicates that no one diet is superior to another. The aim of this study was to examine the efficacy of the PREVENTOMICS (empowering consumers to PREVENT diet-related diseases through OMICS sciences) platform, incorporated in an e-commerce digital tool, for producing more favourable health outcomes over dietary plans based on general diet recommendations, in subjects with overweight or obesity and elevated waist circumference. This study is a 10-week randomised single-centre, parallel-group, double-blinded intervention study. Participants were allocated in a 1:1 ratio, stratified by cluster to either the intervention group (personalised plan) or the control group (generic recommendations). Results show that there isn’t any additional benefit of personalising dietary plans, over a generic approach, on the change in fat mass and body weight in individuals with overweight or obesity and elevated waist circumference. Accordingly, personalisation of the diet did not significantly improve health parameters beyond the changes induced by the control diet. Participants in both groups lost approximately 3 kg of body weight. Authors conclude that based on their findings evidence to translate personalised nutrition approaches into clinical practice is insufficient.
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Growing evidence suggests that biomarker-guided dietary interventions can optimize response to treatment. In this study, we evaluated the efficacy of the PREVENTOMCIS platform-which uses metabolomic and genetic information to classify individuals into different 'metabolic clusters' and create personalized dietary plans-for improving health outcomes in subjects with overweight or obesity. METHODS A 10-week parallel, double-blinded, randomized intervention was conducted in 100 adults (82 completers) aged 18-65 years, with body mass index ≥27 but <40 kg/m2, who were allocated into either a personalized diet group (n = 49) or a control diet group (n = 51). About 60% of all food was provided free-of-charge. No specific instruction to restrict energy intake was given. The primary outcome was change in fat mass from baseline, evaluated by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry. Other endpoints included body weight, waist circumference, lipid profile, glucose homeostasis markers, inflammatory markers, blood pressure, physical activity, stress and eating behavior. RESULTS There were significant main effects of time (P < 0.01), but no group main effects, or time-by-group interactions, for the change in fat mass (personalized: -2.1 [95% CI -2.9, -1.4] kg; control: -2.0 [95% CI -2.7, -1.3] kg) and body weight (personalized: -3.1 [95% CI -4.1, -2.1] kg; control: -3.3 [95% CI -4.2, -2.4] kg). The difference between groups in fat mass change was -0.1 kg (95% CI -1.2, 0.9 kg, P = 0.77). Both diets resulted in significant improvements in insulin resistance and lipid profile, but there were no significant differences between groups. CONCLUSION Personalized dietary plans did not result in greater benefits over a generic, but generally healthy diet, in this 10-week clinical trial. Further studies are required to establish the soundness of different precision nutrition approaches, and translate this science into clinically relevant dietary advice to reduce the burden of obesity and its comorbidities. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRY ClinicalTrials.gov registry (NCT04590989).
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Calorie restriction improves metabolic state independently of gut microbiome composition: a randomized dietary intervention trial.
Sowah, SA, Milanese, A, Schübel, R, Wirbel, J, Kartal, E, Johnson, TS, Hirche, F, Grafetstätter, M, Nonnenmacher, T, Kirsten, R, et al
Genome medicine. 2022;14(1):30
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Obesity is an important risk factor for chronic diseases. Aside from well-established mechanisms such as obesity-induced inflammation, alterations in sugar and lipid metabolism, and steroid hormone signalling, imbalances in the composition of the gut microbiome have also been linked to the progression of obesity and its cardio-metabolic sequelae. The aim of this study was to investigate whether intermittent calorie restriction (ICR) (operationalised as the 5:2 diet) or continuous calorie restriction (CCR) induced alterations in the gut microbiome, and to which extent these were associated with overall weight loss irrespective of the dietary intervention in overweight or obese adults. This study was conducted using data and samples of the HELENA trial which was a parallel-arm randomised controlled trial. Participants were randomly assigned to one of three groups, i.e., an ICR (n = 49), a CCR (n = 49), or a control group (n = 52) over a 50-week period in a 1:1:1 ratio. Results showed that the type of calorie restriction or the amount of weight lost were not accompanied by substantial and consistent shifts in gut microbiome composition or the abundance of individual bacterial taxa. Authors conclude that moderate ICR or CCR interventions as well as an overall moderate weight loss induced by calorie restriction (irrespective of which form) may not be associated with significant changes in the gut microbiome of overweight and obese adults, notwithstanding observed metabolic improvements.
Abstract
BACKGROUND The gut microbiota has been suggested to play a significant role in the development of overweight and obesity. However, the effects of calorie restriction on gut microbiota of overweight and obese adults, especially over longer durations, are largely unexplored. METHODS Here, we longitudinally analyzed the effects of intermittent calorie restriction (ICR) operationalized as the 5:2 diet versus continuous calorie restriction (CCR) on fecal microbiota of 147 overweight or obese adults in a 50-week parallel-arm randomized controlled trial, the HELENA Trial. The primary outcome of the trial was the differential effects of ICR versus CCR on gene expression in subcutaneous adipose tissue. Changes in the gut microbiome, which are the focus of this publication, were defined as exploratory endpoint of the trial. The trial comprised a 12-week intervention period, a 12-week maintenance period, and a final follow-up period of 26 weeks. RESULTS Both diets resulted in ~5% weight loss. However, except for Lactobacillales being enriched after ICR, post-intervention microbiome composition did not significantly differ between groups. Overall weight loss was associated with significant metabolic improvements, but not with changes in the gut microbiome. Nonetheless, the abundance of the Dorea genus at baseline was moderately predictive of subsequent weight loss (AUROC of 0.74 for distinguishing the highest versus lowest weight loss quartiles). Despite the lack of consistent intervention effects on microbiome composition, significant study group-independent co-variation between gut bacterial families and metabolic biomarkers, anthropometric measures, and dietary composition was detectable. Our analysis in particular revealed associations between insulin sensitivity (HOMA-IR) and Akkermansiaceae, Christensenellaceae, and Tanerellaceae. It also suggests the possibility of a beneficial modulation of the latter two intestinal taxa by a diet high in vegetables and fiber, and low in processed meat. CONCLUSIONS Overall, our results suggest that the gut microbiome remains stable and highly individual-specific under dietary calorie restriction. TRIAL REGISTRATION The trial, including the present microbiome component, was prospectively registered at ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02449148 on May 20, 2015.
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Celiac Disease, Beyond the Bowel: A Review of Its Neurological Manifestations.
Patel, SC, Shreya, D, Zamora, DI, Patel, GS, Grossmann, I, Rodriguez, K, Soni, M, Joshi, PK, Sange, I
Cureus. 2021;13(12):e20112
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Coeliac disease (CD) is an autoimmune condition in which genetically predisposed individuals develop an immunologic reaction to ingested gluten, a protein found in barley, wheat, and rye, destroying the intestinal villi. The aims of this review are to: (i) underline the pathogenic mechanism of the involvement of CD and its neurological manifestations; (ii) establish a clinical relationship between CD and its neurological manifestations; (iii) explore the existing screening and upcoming management guidelines of CD. This review shows that: - the most common neurological manifestations of CD include gluten ataxia, gluten neuropathy, and epilepsy. These conditions are strongly associated with a lower quality of life and a higher rate of hospitalisation. - neurological features of CD should be kept in mind in order to raise an adequate amount of clinical suspicion to perform screening for gluten sensitivity with the aim of reducing the time it takes for diagnosis, and thus patient suffering is kept to a minimum. Authors conclude that further thorough studies about neurological manifestations of CD are needed so that alternative treatment modalities are offered to provide a more holistic treatment approach to a patient with CD.
Abstract
Celiac disease (CD) is a multi-systemic autoimmune condition that causes a hyperinflammatory response when gluten is ingested. There has been a shift in the clinical presentation of CD from a mere malabsorption disorder to an autoimmune condition that affects multiple organ systems, which could increase the rate of hospitalizations and a decreased quality of life. This article has compiled various studies that have explored the neurological manifestations of celiac disease, their epidemiology, possible pathogenic mechanisms, diagnosis, and treatment. The most common neurological conditions include gluten ataxia (GA), gluten neuropathy, gluten encephalopathy, and epilepsy which usually present as sporadic diseases which are difficult to diagnose in the absence of gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms. The treatment for most of these conditions is a gluten-free diet (GFD) regardless of GI involvement.
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Association of prior metabolic and bariatric surgery with severity of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in patients with obesity.
Aminian, A, Fathalizadeh, A, Tu, C, Butsch, WS, Pantalone, KM, Griebeler, ML, Kashyap, SR, Rosenthal, RJ, Burguera, B, Nissen, SE
Surgery for obesity and related diseases : official journal of the American Society for Bariatric Surgery. 2021;17(1):208-214
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A growing body of evidence indicates that patients with obesity are disproportionately affected with a severe form of SARS-CoV-2 infection and may experience resultant higher mortality. The aim of this study was to determine the association of prior metabolic surgery with severity of SARSCoV-2 infection in patients with severe obesity. This study is a retrospective, matched-cohort analysis of a prospective, observational, institutional review board–approved clinical registry of all patients tested for SARS-CoV-2 infection. The study population included a total of 363 patients, including 33 individuals who had metabolic surgery and 330 matched patients who tested positive. Results indicate that a history of metabolic surgery is associated with lower severity of SARSCoV-2 infection in patients with severe obesity, as manifested by lower risks of hospital and ICU admission. Authors conclude that prior metabolic surgery with subsequent weight loss and improvement of metabolic abnormalities could potentially reduce morbidity from SARS-CoV-2 infection.
Abstract
BACKGROUND Obesity is a risk factor for poor clinical outcomes in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). OBJECTIVES To investigate the relationship between prior metabolic surgery and the severity of COVID-19 in patients with severe obesity. SETTING Cleveland Clinic Health System in the United States. METHODS Among 4365 patients who tested positive for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) between March 8, 2020 and July 22, 2020 in the Cleveland Clinic Health System, 33 patients were identified who had a prior history of metabolic surgery. The surgical patients were propensity matched 1:10 to nonsurgical patients to assemble a cohort of control patients (n = 330) with a body mass index (BMI) ≥ 40 kg/m2 at the time of SARS-CoV-2 testing. The primary endpoint was the rate of hospital admission. The exploratory endpoints included admission to the intensive care unit (ICU), need for mechanical ventilation and dialysis during index hospitalization, and mortality. After propensity score matching, outcomes were compared in univariate and multivariate regression models. RESULTS The average BMI of the surgical group was 49.1 ± 8.8 kg/m2 before metabolic surgery and was down to 37.2 ± 7.1 at the time of SARS-CoV-2 testing, compared with the control group's BMI of 46.7 ± 6.4 kg/m2. In the univariate analysis, 6 (18.2%) patients in the metabolic surgery group and 139 (42.1%) patients in the control group were admitted to the hospital (P = .013). In the multivariate analysis, a prior history of metabolic surgery was associated with a lower hospital admission rate compared with control patients with obesity (odds ratio, 0.31; 95% confidence interval, 0.11-0.88; P = .028). While none of the 4 exploratory outcomes occurred in the metabolic surgery group, 43 (13.0%) patients in the control group required ICU admission (P = .021), 22 (6.7%) required mechanical ventilation, 5 (1.5%) required dialysis, and 8 (2.4%) patients died. CONCLUSION Prior metabolic surgery with subsequent weight loss and improvement of metabolic abnormalities was associated with lower rates of hospital and ICU admission in patients with obesity who became infected with SARS-CoV-2. Confirmation of these findings will require larger studies.
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Probiotics in Prevention and Treatment of COVID-19: Current Perspective and Future Prospects.
Kurian, SJ, Unnikrishnan, MK, Miraj, SS, Bagchi, D, Banerjee, M, Reddy, BS, Rodrigues, GS, Manu, MK, Saravu, K, Mukhopadhyay, C, et al
Archives of medical research. 2021;52(6):582-594
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The novel coronavirus pandemic of 2019 (COVID-19), an emerging infectious disease, is caused by multiple strains of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2. The main aim of this study was to outline the potential role of probiotics in fighting the COVID-19. This study focuses on recent evidence on the association between microbiota, probiotics, and COVID-19, the role of probiotics as an immune-modulator and antiviral agent. Findings support probiotics’ role in regulating the immune system, suggesting a definitive role for probiotics in viral infections. Thus, probiotics supplementation could reduce the severity of COVID-19 morbidity and mortality. Authors conclude that supplementation of probiotics in high risk and severely ill patients, and frontline health workers, may help to limit the infection and flatten the COVID-19 curve. However, further studies should be conducted for more conclusive evidence.
Abstract
Saving lives and flattening the curve are the foremost priorities during the ongoing pandemic spread of SARS-CoV-2. Developing cutting-edge technology and collating available evidence would support frontline health teams. Nutritional adequacy improves general health and immunity to prevent and assuage infections. This review aims to outline the potential role of probiotics in fighting the COVID-19 by covering recent evidence on the association between microbiota, probiotics, and COVID-19, the role of probiotics as an immune-modulator and antiviral agent. The high basic reproduction number (R0) of SARS-CoV-2, absence of conclusive remedies, and the pleiotropic effect of probiotics in fighting influenza and other coronaviruses together favour probiotics supplements. However, further support from preclinical and clinical studies and reviews outlining the role of probiotics in COVID-19 are critical. Results are awaited from many ongoing clinical trials investigating the benefits of probiotics in COVID-19.
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An algorithm for differentiating food antigen-related gastrointestinal symptoms.
Rostami, K, Bold, J, Ismail Ali, J, Parr, A, Dieterich, W, Zopf, Y, Htoo, A, Rostami-Nejad, M, Danciu, M
Gastroenterology and hepatology from bed to bench. 2021;14(1):8-16
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Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a collection of gastrointestinal symptoms. Due to multiple etiologies, the pathogenesis of IBS is poorly understood. The aim of this audit was to assess the outcomes achieved using a lactose and gluten-free diet clinical intervention in patients traditionally diagnosed with IBS. This study was an audit of outcomes from the records of 149 patients presenting with IBS symptoms at secondary and tertiary Gastroenterology outpatients in two UK hospitals. This audit has demonstrated that more than 70% of patients presenting with IBS symptoms improved by following a diet eliminating lactose and gluten containing grains (improvement for >30% in their symptoms). The success of the elimination diet did not seem to be correlated with the body mass index (BMI). The best outcome was recorded in patients with normal BMI and also in the overweight group. Patients with higher BMI >30 or low below 18 also responded well to nutrition therapy. In conclusion, multidisciplinary team management and implementation of detailed nutrition therapy using the audit algorithm might prove to be both cost effective and efficacious a treatment option in IBS.
Abstract
AIM: The aim of this clinical audit was to assess patient-reported outcomes on the effect of dietary intervention, to enhance our understanding of possible treatment options in irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). BACKGROUND A large number of food-related gastro-intestinal disorders have been attributed to IBS for decades. METHODS Patient-reported outcomes from the records of 149 IBS patients treated at secondary and tertiary Gastroenterology outpatients in two UK hospitals between January 2014 and July 2016 were audited. Patients all presented with symptoms fulfilling Rome III-IV criteria for IBS had negative coeliac serology and did not have other gastrointestinal (GI) conditions. A modified version of a low FODMAP diet had been recommended (gluten and lactose free diet (G/LFD)) and was implemented for 6 weeks. Outcomes and dietary adherence were recorded during outpatient's consultations. RESULTS A total of 134 patients complied with the diet optimally. The majority had an improvement rate >70% and continued with the diet. Fifty-three percent became completely or almost asymptomatic, while 27.6% had a poor response to the diet (scoring < 30%) to G/LFD. The improvement was excellent in patients with normal BMI and good in overweight and obese and where BMI <18. Over 50% did not require any follow-up within 12 months. CONCLUSION Although it is unclear whether symptoms are triggered by gluten, fructans or lactose, elimination of gluten and lactose proved to be an effective treatment in patients with IBS. Multidisciplinary team management and implementation of detailed nutrition therapy using the audit algorithm might prove to be both cost effective and efficacious a treatment option in IBS.
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Effects of Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass on Osteoclast Activity and Bone Density in Morbidly Obese Patients with Type 2 Diabetes.
Tangalakis, LL, Tabone, L, Spagnoli, A, Muehlbauer, M, Omotosho, P, Torquati, A
Obesity surgery. 2020;30(1):290-295
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Gastric surgery and the resultant weight loss can improve an individual’s outcomes in a number of diseases, such as heart disease and type 2 diabetes, however an unfortunate side effect is bone loss. Roux-en-Y gastric bypass is a process whereby the size of your stomach is significantly reduced, and it is unclear as to the effect this type of surgery has on bone density. This cohort study of sixty-one individuals who underwent Roux-en-Y gastric bypass aimed to determine the effect on bone density one year post surgery. The results showed that following surgery, bone resorption was increased compared to control and although bone density was similar between the two groups, bone mineral content and bone surface area were decreased. Women who were post-menopausal demonstrated diminished bone health, although this was not significant. It was concluded that Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery results in a negative impact on bone health. This study could be used by healthcare professionals to understand the importance of considering bone health when recommending surgery, especially in those at high-risk of bone loss such as post-menopausal women.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) is a well-established treatment for morbid obesity and type 2 diabetes. The effects of RYGB on bone metabolism and bone health are largely unknown. OBJECTIVE Determine the changes in osteoclast function and bone density 1 year after RYGB as compared with a control group undergoing a diabetes support and education program (DSE). DESIGN A prospective cohort study with patients matched for weight and age assigned to RYGB or DSE. SETTING Large academic institution. PATIENTS OR OTHER PARTICIPANTS Patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and morbid obesity (body mass index greater than 35 kg/m2). INTERVENTION Subjects either received laparoscopic RYBG or DSE, which consisted of nutritional, exercise, and dietary counseling performed by a certified diabetic educator and a nutritionist three times over a year. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE Osteoclast activity, bone mineral density. RESULTS One year after, intervention subjects undergoing RYGB have a 280% increase in osteoclast activity as compared with a 7.6% increase in the DSE control group (P < 0.001). Furthermore, there was a statistically significant increase in sclerostin levels in subjects undergoing RYGB compared with an increase in the control group. The total bone mineral density was statistically unchanged within 1 year of intervention in both groups. A statistically significant decrease in bone mineral density in the left ribs (decrease of 6.8%, P < 0.05) and lumbar spine (decrease of 4.0%, P < 0.05) was seen 1 year after RYGB. CONCLUSIONS There is a significant increase in osteoclast activity observed 1 year after RYGB; the long-term clinical implications of this increased bone metabolism are unknown.
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Gut microbiota plasticity is correlated with sustained weight loss on a low-carb or low-fat dietary intervention.
Grembi, JA, Nguyen, LH, Haggerty, TD, Gardner, CD, Holmes, SP, Parsonnet, J
Scientific reports. 2020;10(1):1405
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Obesity is responsible for a substantial number of deaths and is associated with considerable economic costs. Dietary intervention can help with weight loss; however, success varies between individuals. Gut microbiota could influence weight loss as they have been shown in previous studies to affect feelings of hunger. This cohort study taken from an RCT of 161 obese adults aimed to determine if differing gut microbiota communities could be involved in determining weight loss success when on a low-carbohydrate or a low-fat diet over 12 months. The results showed that specific gut microbiota did not predict weight loss success. However, having a diverse gut microbiota prior to starting a low-fat diet, predicted higher weight loss. This was only observed in those on a low-carbohydrate diet after 10 weeks of dieting. Interestingly individuals that reported better dietary adherence weren’t necessarily more successful with weight loss. It was concluded that gut microbiota diversity is important in sustained weight loss, especially if on a low-fat diet. This study could be used by healthcare professionals to understand that microbial diversity may determine the success of a diet regime and the importance of personalising recommendations.
Abstract
While low-carbohydrate and low-fat diets can both lead to weight-loss, a substantial variability in achieved long-term outcomes exists among obese but otherwise healthy adults. We examined the hypothesis that structural differences in the gut microbiota explain a portion of variability in weight-loss using two cohorts of obese adults enrolled in the Diet Intervention Examining The Factors Interacting with Treatment Success (DIETFITS) study. A total of 161 pre-diet fecal samples were sequenced from a discovery cohort (n = 66) and 106 from a validation cohort (n = 56). An additional 157 fecal samples were sequenced from the discovery cohort after 10 weeks of dietary intervention. We found no specific bacterial signatures associated with weight loss that were consistent across both cohorts. However, the gut microbiota plasticity (i.e. variability), was correlated with long-term (12-month) weight loss in a diet-dependent manner; on the low-fat diet subjects with higher pre-diet daily plasticity had higher sustained weight loss, whereas on the low-carbohydrate diet those with higher plasticity over 10 weeks of dieting had higher 12-month weight loss. Our findings suggest the potential importance of gut microbiota plasticity for sustained weight-loss. We highlight the advantages of evaluating kinetic trends and assessing reproducibility in studies of the gut microbiota.
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A structured weight loss program increases gut microbiota phylogenetic diversity and reduces levels of Collinsella in obese type 2 diabetics: A pilot study.
Frost, F, Storck, LJ, Kacprowski, T, Gärtner, S, Rühlemann, M, Bang, C, Franke, A, Völker, U, Aghdassi, AA, Steveling, A, et al
PloS one. 2019;14(7):e0219489
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The global obesity epidemic is a major cause of the increase in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and ensuing cardiovascular disease. The causes of obesity are complex ,and it has been shown that changes in the microbiome are associated with obesity. The microbiome can be altered through dietary intervention and weight loss. The aim of this open label pilot study was to investigate the microbiome of obese patients with T2DM during a weight loss programme. During the first six weeks the diet consisted of formula drink providing 800kcal per day, followed by nine weeks during which a regular diet of 1,200-1,500kcal per day was reintroduced, depending on the individuals’ needs. All participants lost weight continuously over the 15 weeks, from an average BMI of 39.6 at the start to 33.1 at the end of the programme. This was accompanied with an improvement in glucose metabolism, total and LDL cholesterol and uric acid levels, but not HDL cholesterol or triglycerides. All participants experienced changes in their microbiome towards greater diversity after the first six weeks of the low-calorie formula diet but these changes were partially reversed at the end of the study period at 15 weeks. A particular type of bacteria, Collinsella, which has been associated with poor metabolic health, was the only type found to remain reduced at the end of the 15 weeks, an 8.4-fold decrease. The authors hypothesise that this reduction in Collinsella may be associated with the improvement of metabolic factor in these patients at the end of the study.
Abstract
The global obesity epidemic constitutes a major cause of morbidity and mortality challenging public health care systems worldwide. Thus, a better understanding of its pathophysiology and the development of novel therapeutic options are urgently needed. Recently, alterations of the intestinal microbiome in the obese have been discussed as a promoting factor in the pathophysiology of obesity and as a contributing factor to related diseases such as type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome. The present pilot study investigated the effect of a structured weight loss program on fecal microbiota in obese type 2 diabetics. Twelve study subjects received a low-calorie formula diet for six weeks, followed by a nine week food reintroduction and stabilization period. Fecal microbiota were determined by 16S rRNA gene sequencing of stool samples at baseline, after six weeks and at the end of the study after fifteen weeks. All study subjects lost weight continuously throughout the program. Changes in fecal microbiota were most pronounced after six weeks of low-calorie formula diet, but reverted partially until the end of the study. However, the gut microbiota phylogenetic diversity increased persistently. The abundance of Collinsella, which has previously been associated with atherosclerosis, decreased significantly during the weight loss program. This study underlines the impact of dietary changes on the intestinal microbiome and further demonstrates the beneficial effects of weight loss on gut microbiota. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02970838.