Ryan Singerman, DO, PPG – Weight Management & Bariatric Surgery digs into the latest findings on the gut microbiome and its connection to a healthy weight.
Gut health is a fascinating topic. Many of you may have heard of something called the gut microbiome. The collection of bacteria that live in the lining of the small and large intestine has been a significant area of research and study, and a lot of implications are being drawn between our gut health and long-term health.
In an interesting study, mice were bred with an ob gene that made them become morbidly obese, about 400–500% of their normal body weight. They took the gut bacteria from a healthy, normal weight mouse and, after introducing it to the obese mice, were able to eradicate all of the bacteria in the super morbidly obese animals and return them to a healthy weight.
The study shows that the gut microbiome has a large influence on body weight, but how does that translate to human body weight? We're still trying to understand it. What we do know right now is it's not simply enough to take a prebiotic or a probiotic or to try to get some kind of transplant from a healthy body weight person. It's a lot more complex.
The work being done in this area is fascinating, and you’ll probably hear a lot more on this subject in the years to come.
That being said, if anyone tells you that they have the one food, supplement or dietary trick that will change your gut microbiome, be wary because there is no good scientific data to support it. And many times, these can actually be dangerous to your health.
To learn more about the resources available to you at PPG - Weight Management & Bariatric Surgery, including free seminars, call 260-425-6390 or fill out this form and one of our care team members will contact you with more information.
