Your gut bacteria may determine your weight. That's because bacteria affect the way foods are digested and how that energy is stored. And they produce chemicals that determine if you feel satisfied or hungry. Do to this, as well as influences on inflammation, certain types of gut bacteria are linked to weight gain. In contrast, by establishing the right balance of gut bacteria, you might easily lose 10 lbs.
Inside your intestines, gut bacteria come in contact with all of the food you consume. Your microbiome affects how those nutrients are broken down, how fats are absorbed into the intestines, and how much is stored as energy. Some gut bacteria are considered obesogenic because they extract more calories from the food you consume when compared to other strains of bacteria.
In studying these affects, researchers found that two types of bacteria seem to have a particularly significant impact on your ability to lose weight. Those with a higher ratio of Prevotella lost more weight than those with a higher amount of Bacteroidetes (PubMed, 2018).
People who are overweight also tend to have less biome diversity and greater amounts of C-reactive protein. This protein is produced by the liver and is a symptom of inflammation or infection (PubMed, 2013). Counter to this, some species of bacteria, such as Bifidobacteria and Akkermansia, might prevent weight gain and reduce insulin resistance by preventing inflammatory chemicals from passing from your gut to your bloodstream.
Gut Bacteria and Appetite
Certain gut bacteria can increase your appetite, triggering binge eating. Your body produces various hormones that significantly impact your appetite. The bacteria in your gut affect which hormones are produced and, as a result, affect your experience of hunger or fullness.
Propionate is a fatty acid that stimulates the secretion of satiety hormones that reduce hunger. It is produced in your gut by certain microbes as they ferment fiber. Some species of Clostridium, Lactobacillus rhamnosus, Lactobacillus acidophilus, and Bifidobacterium decrease appetite, in part by producing propionate.
In stark contrast, certain gut bacteria produce metabolites that increase your appetite, contributing to weight gain. This occurs by stimulating the release of hormones like ghrelin, which signals that your body needs more food. This can also interrupt feel-good neurotransmitters like serotonin and GABA that foster satiety. Some of the bacteria that could be linked with increased appetite include Lactobacillus reuteri, Lactobacillus fermentum, and Proteobacteria.
Personal Variation
However, it's important to note that which bacteria contribute to weight gain can vary greatly from individual to individual and also according to gender. Bacteria produce materials that affect our hormones. We know that men and women typically respond to hormones differently. And it's not just which bacteria are present, but in what quantity they are present compared to others.
Some Bacteria Linked to Weight Gain
Fusimonas intestini: Linked to obesity and diabetes; produces trans fatty acids; impairs gut barrier, causing inflammation.
Lactobacillus reuteri: High levels linked to obesity; linked to weight gain in children.
E. coli: Linked to obesity and inflammation.
Christensenellaceae, Methanobacteriales, Bifidobacteria, and Akkermansia, Clostridium: Linked to obesity.
Proteobacteria and Firmicutes: Linked with obesity and increased fat storage.
Parabacteroides helcogenes, Campylobacter canadensis: Linked to obesity in men.
Prevotella micans, Prevotella brevis, and Prevotella sacharolitica, Staphylococcus, Enterobacteriaceae: Linked to obesity in women.
Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus fermentum, and Lactobacillus ingluviei: Linked to weight gain in lean people.
Your Diet Affects Your Gut Bacteria
Your diet largely determines which bacteria are found inside your gut. A diet that contains a lot of sugar and unhealthy facts can disrupt a healthy gut microbiome. Additionally, artificial sweeteners like aspartame and saccharin reduce beneficial bacteria. Whereas, a high-fiber diet full of fruits, whole grains, nuts, seeds, and vegetables can promote a healthy gut microbiome.
Getting Started With Your Personalized Plan
Healthy gut bacteria is essential for maintaining a healthy weight. Energy Matters, LLC. partners with Microbiome Labs to perform tests to provide information about your individual microbiome, allowing for a specifically tailored program to improve your gut microbiome, your health and vitality, and your weight loss journey. Registered users can also shop special products and protocols to rebalance your gut microbiome. Contact Rose directly for her exclusive registration code or to schedule a phone consultation.
Register here: Microbiome Labs
What to Remember:
Gut bacteria affect how food is digested, how many calories are extracted, and how fats are stored in the body.
Certain bacteria stimulate the production of hormones that impact your appetite.
Other bacteria stimulate inflammation, which can lead to weight gain and disease.
References