“In a new study, bacteria in the intestines manage weight,” said Dietitian Öykü Kaçar in Diyarbakır.
Dietitian Öykü Kaçar said that in the latest researches, the human body contains more microorganisms than the number of cells, and that this community of tiny living things is called “microbiota”. Stating that these microorganisms, which live especially in the intestines, play an important role in many body functions from digestion to the immune system, Kaçar stated that microbiota is closely related to obesity.
Kaçar explained that it was observed that obese individuals have a different microbial structure in their intestines compared to thin individuals, and gave the following statements:
''This difference is seen not only in the types of bacteria, but also in the number of these bacteria and the metabolites they produce. Obese individuals have more bacteria that convert high-energy foods into energy more effectively. This causes the body to absorb too many calories and store them as fat.''
Touching on the complexity of the relationship between microbiota and obesity, Kaçar said, “The relationship between microbiota and obesity is a complex cycle. While eating habits affect microbiota, microbiota can also shape dietary preferences. For example, the proliferation of a certain type of bacteria can lead an individual to sweeter or fattier foods. Genetic factors also influence the relationship between microbiota and obesity. Some people's genetic makeup may be more prone to an increase or decrease in certain types of bacteria. This can increase the risk of obesity. Environmental factors such as antibiotic use, environmental pollution and stress can also negatively affect the microbiota and increase the risk of obesity. For example, individuals who eat a diet rich in diversity have a higher number and diversity of bacterial species in their gut. This has the effect of reducing the risk of obesity. Conversely, a diet rich in uniform and processed foods increases the risk of obesity by reducing the diversity of the gut microbiota.”
Stating that in obese individuals, the proportion of bacteria belonging to the Firmicutes phylum is generally higher, while the proportion of bacteria belonging to the Bacteroidetes phylum is lower, Kaçar said, “Firmicutes contains bacteria that are more efficient in obtaining energy, while Bacteroidetes contains bacteria that regulate energy intake. Methods such as probiotics, prebiotics and fecal microbiota transplantation are promising in the treatment of obesity by targeting the microbiota. Since each individual's microbiota is different, personalized approaches may come to the fore in the treatment of obesity in the future.”
Kaçar stated that the risk of obesity increases with the proliferation of harmful bacteria species and the decrease in beneficial bacteria species in people who eat processed foods and lead a sedentary life, and said that for a healthy life, attention should be paid not only to nutrition and exercise, but also to intestinal health.
