Energy balance
An altered gut microbiota composition, specifically an increased Firmicutes-to-Bacteroidetes ratio, enhances energy harvest from the diet, contributing to obesity and metabolic disorders.
Focus on dietary fiber and plant-based foods to support a diverse gut microbiota, particularly Bacteroidetes, which may help regulate energy harvest. While not a substitute for overall diet and exercise, a diet rich in fiber can positively influence gut bacteria composition.
The increase in Firmicutes and the decrease in the proportion of Bacteroidetes observed in obese mice could be related with the presence of genes encoding enzymes that break down polysaccharides that cannot be digested by the host, increasing the production of monosaccharides and short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) and the conversion of these SCFA to triglycerides in the liver.
Why this rating
The paper is a review citing multiple animal studies (mice) and some human observational studies, but notes causal relationships in humans are not yet fully confirmed.
Source
Impact of the gut microbiota on the development of obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus
Isabel Moreno‐Indias et al. · Frontiers in Microbiology · 2014
DOI 10.3389/fmicb.2014.00190
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