After reviewing several articles I came across an article that talked about using bacteria that occurs naturally in the gut to prevent obesity and type 2 diabetes. I thought this would be a great topic to write about because we just finished the discussion on fecal transplants that provided bacteria from a healthy donor to an unhealthy patient, resulting in stabilization of the unhealthy patients gut bacteria.
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| Akkermansia |
Obesity and type 2 diabetes are characterized by symptoms
including inflammation changes in the composition of the intestinal bacteria
and the disruption of the natural barrier in the intestines. The healthy
bacteria was found in large numbers in humans that were not overweight and
fewer in humans and rodents with inflammation or obesity. In this study
scientist from Vanderbilt University, tested the Akkermansia bacteria, which is a
healthy bacteria that occurs naturally in the guts of humans and animals. Akkermansia muciniphila is found in the intestinal mucus layer that protects
against intruders. This bacteria was studied in mice. Researchers gave mice a
high fatty diet and placed the healthy bacteria in their water. The mice showed
a reduction in their weight and maintained a healthy weight compared to the
controlled group of mice. The mice where given the bacteria over a course of
eight weeks. The mice that were given the bacteria had dramatically lower food
intake, body fat, insulin resistance and fatty liver, compared to the
controlled group. The presence of this healthy bacteria, strengthen the
intestinal barrier and also decreased weight gain and inflammation reactions in
fatty tissues and insulin resistance. The
bacteria also increased endocannabinoid levels, which is a substance that
ensures blood glucose remains at the correct level. They also found that the mice that were given the bacteria still showed effects of the bacteria 4 weeks
after the bacteria had been stopped. There was also a difference in the liver of
the mice, which showed that the bacteria were affecting areas beyond the gut.
This was amazing research. I cannot believe that we could be
on the cusp of finding a cure for type 2 diabetes and obesity. To think, all
the health issues that are cause in results of diabetes and obesity that could be
cured from healthy bacteria. There would be no need for medication, just a prescription
for natural healthy bacteria. Although, this study has not been conducted on humans,
I believe the study is not far away. As a person who has tried to lose weight
in the pass and discovered the older I get, the harder it becomes to keep the
weight off, this is good news to my ears. It’s a dream come true to be able to
think about, just drink a glass of water enhanced with natural bacteria to keep
my weight off. The weight loss market is huge and if this is brought to market,
it would put all the other companies out of business. There are harmful ingredients
in weight loss supplements today that can cause harm to your body. I think most
people would agree, if given a choice to take an unhealthy weight loss pill or
to take bacteria, that occurs naturally in your body, I think everyone would
chose the bacteria. Something so simple has been made complicated for years and
now we might be on the edge of solving one of our biggest health issues.
www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/07/140722142521.htm
Interesting study. Do they plan to continue with studies on humans?
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