Research
Mixed
Therapeutic targeting of the gut microbiome using probiotics, prebiotics, or specific dietary components can reduce obesity and metabolic disturbances in high-fat diet models.
While specific probiotic supplements show promise in animal studies for reducing fat mass and improving metabolic health, there is no standardized human protocol yet. Focus on a diet rich in diverse fibers and fermented foods to support a healthy gut microbiome, which may help manage weight and metabolic health.
ModerateQualifiesMEDIUM confidence
Recent studies have evaluated the possibility of therapeutic targeting of the gut microbiome to reduce obesity. Although still in its infancy, several studies have reported promising findings.
Why this rating
Based on animal studies and some human observational data, but clinical application is not yet established.
Source
Influence of high-fat diet on gut microbiota
E. Angela Murphy et al. · Current Opinion in Clinical Nutrition & Metabolic Care · 2015
DOI 10.1097/mco.0000000000000209
narrative_reviewCited 494×
Read the paper DOI resolved against Crossref · corpus check 2026-06-10
More from this paper
- High-fat diet consumption induces gut microbiota dysbiosis (decreased Bacteroidetes, increased Firmicutes), which promotes obesity and chronic disease risk through enhanced energy harvest and gut permeability.Good
- Gut microbiota from high-fat diet-fed individuals can transmit obesity-related traits, including increased adiposity and inflammation, to germ-free recipients.Good
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