Wrong Gut Microbes Increased Risk to Type 2 Diabetes
Posted by Kelli de Sante' on 7th Feb 2021
Gut microbes identified for their role in increasing the risk of Type 2 Diabetes.
Metabolic syndrome to include Type 2 Diabetes is worsened by an overabundance of particular unhealthy microbes residing in the gut.
The last two blogs covered how Alzheimer’s disease has been linked to specific gut bacteria. This time, let’s look at new findings published in the journal Nature Communications in which scientists have discovered that “…organisms in the gut microbiome play a key role in type 2 diabetes, and may lead to potential possible probiotic treatments…”1*
It is not a surprise to hear of this research and their findings, as we have known that metabolic syndrome, which encompasses obesity and diabetes is in direct relation to the health of the gut. An unhealthy gut leads to obesity, and with obesity, comes an unhealthy microbiome. The bad bacteria that reside in our gut can take over when our microbiome is out of balance and while they feed off of sugars, they also cause us to crave sugar, which is their food of choice. The “western diet”, which is high in refined sugars and saturated fats plays a key role in negatively influencing our guts and our health, and is one of the primary factors in Type 2 Diabetes, scientists at Oregon State University have discovered. Their findings were published in the journal Nature Communications in a paper titled, “Transkingdom interactions between Lactobacilli and hepatic mitochondria attenuate western diet-induced diabetes.”1*
Diabetes is its own kind of pandemic in our country with more than 34 million Americans having diabetes and approximately 90–95% of them having type 2 diabetes (T2D). Worldwide, an estimated 462 million individuals are affected by type 2 diabetes. And over the next decade, the number of type 2 diabetes diagnoses in our country is expected to keep rising according to the study co-leader Andrey Morgun, associate professor of pharmaceutical sciences in the OSU College of Pharmacy.1*
Why is it so prevalent? Diet for one. And exercise for two. There is also genetics involved. And age.2*
But looking at diet and exercise and the levels of obesity in our country explains a lot of it. Obesity rates have increased over the past few decades and along with it, so has Type 2 Diabetes. According to the CDC, in 2017-2018, the prevalence of obesity was 42.4%. That is almost half of our population.2*
In 1995, obesity affected 15.3 percent of Americans, and in 2008, the figure was 25.6 percent. From 1998 to 2008, the incidence of diabetes increased by 90 percent. A major risk factor for developing type 2 diabetes is being overweight or obese, and this is often a result of a “western diet” combined with low physical exercise.3*
“Western diet (WD) is one of the major culprits of metabolic disease including type 2 diabetes with gut microbiota playing an important role in modulating effects of the diet,” the researchers wrote. “Herein, we use a data-driven approach (Transkingdom Network analysis) to model host-microbiome interactions under WD to infer which members of microbiota contribute to the altered host metabolism.” There is mounting evidence that dysbiosis of the gut is connected to the “…pathogenesis of both intestinal and extra-intestinal disorders..”.1*
In diabetes, there is a gradual build-up of sugar in the bloodstream and when left untreated the effects can be extremely damaging to the body. Many major organs can become impaired, which can be disabling or even life-threatening. Since one of the major risk factors is carrying too much weight, it makes sense to look at diet and exercise levels and make needed changes there. 3*
The researchers applied a “data-driven, systems-biology approach” to their study which explored host-microbe interactions under a western diet. Their approach allowed them to observe whether individual members of the microbiota played a part in metabolic changes the diet induces in a host.”… “Our study and other studies suggest that individual members of the microbial community, altered by diet, might have a significant impact on the host.”…”1*
Their analysis identified specific microbes that would potentially affect how a person metabolizes glucose and lipids as well as allowed researchers to make inferences as to whether those effects are harmful or beneficial to the host. They also found links between those microbes and obesity.1*
“…The researchers identified four operational taxonomic units (OTUs) that appeared to affect glucose metabolism. The identified OTUs corresponded to four bacterial species: Lactobacillus johnsonii, Lactobacillus gasseri, Romboutsia ilealis, and Ruminococcus gnavus…”1*
While the first two microbes are believed to improve glucose metabolism, the other two are believed to make it worse “…“The overall indication is that individual types of microbes and/or their interactions, and not community-level dysbiosis, are key players in type 2 diabetes.”…”1*
Additionally, in studies on mice, researchers found that mice given Lactobacilli had a lower fat mass index as opposed to their counterparts being fed purely a “western diet” and that lactobacilli boosted mitochondrial health in the liver.1*
Lastly, they found that R. ilealis was present in more than 80% of obese patients, which suggested that microbes could be a “prevalent pathobiont in overweight people.” Overall, their observations supported their findings regarding mice fed the Western diet “…and in looking at all the metabolites, we found a few that explain a big part of probiotic effects caused by Lactobacilli treatments…” In conclusion, their study identified potential strains of Probiotics and provided important insights into their mechanisms of action and how it applies to Type 2 Diabetes.1*
As researchers continue to publish more research on the importance of gut health and the role of Probiotics, we will continue to share it with you. Use this information to continue to take care of your gut health and as a reminder to continue with your daily regimen of Body Biotics™ Bio-Identical SBO Probiotics Consortia™.*
Healthiest wishes,
Kelli
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