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Obesity is a growing epidemic. Doctors and researchers are trying their best to reduce obesity and associated health conditions. Gut microbiome dysfunction and obesity are connected. While improving gut health may not lead to immediate weight loss, it can prevent health damage associated with obesity.Obesity and the Microbiome

The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared obesity a worldwide epidemic. More people are obese now than they ever have been. 

What is obesity?

Obesity is defined as an excessive accumulation of fat that puts health at risk. Obesity is determined by calculating someone’s body mass index (BMI). The BMI is calculated using a person’s height and weight. BMI is broken down into the following categories:

  • Underweight — less than 18.5
  • Healthy weight — 18.5 to less than 25
  • Overweight — 25 to less than 30
  • Obesity — 30 or greater
    • Class 1 Obesity — 30 to less than 35
    • Class 2 Obesity — 35 to less than 40
    • Class 3 Obesity (Severe Obesity ) — 40 or greater

You can calculate your BMI by plugging your information into this website.

Obesity rates have increased drastically in recent years, affecting both adults and children. Approximately 8% of children ages 5-19 are obese, meanwhile 16% of adults are considered obese. 

People who are considered overweight or obese have a significantly higher chance of other health complications. Some health conditions associated with obesity include:

While obesity can come with many life-threatening risks, in the majority of cases, it’s a highly preventable and reversible condition. 

Obesity and the Microbiome

When comparing gut microbiomes, there are distinct differences between lean and obese profiles. This has been proven throughout multiple studies. 

Recent studies are narrowing down what that microbial profile looks like. Certain things affect regular and obese microbiomes, like gender, ethnicity, age, and race. 

When the gut microbiome has certain species of bacteria, it actually helps fight and prevent obesity. Meanwhile, other species can promote inflammation, a leaky gut, and weight gain. 

When the gut contains pathogenic bacterial species, they contribute to inflammation through pro-inflammatory molecules. These molecules attach to the intestinal wall and cause damage. The damage allows opportunistic bacteria and other problematic molecules to cross into the bloodstream. This creates a state of inflammation and puts the immune system on high alert. 

Toll-like receptor 9 (TLR9) is expressed by B lymphocytes, one of the major players in the immune response. Gut microbes and B lymphocytes cross-talk and interact often, especially during states of inflammation. When TLR9 and B lymphocyte levels are low, there is a higher chance of gut dysbiosis and obesity. 

Some bacterial species that are increased in obese populations include:

  • Lactobacillus reuteri  
  • Lactobacillus gasseri
  • Escherichia coli
  • Parabacteroides helcogenes (male-specific)
  • Campylobacter canadensis (male-specific)
  • Prevotella micans (female-specific)
  • Prevotella brevis (female-specific)
  • Prevotella sacharolitica (female-specific)

While these bacteria are notably higher in obese patients, it has not yet been determined whether they are a result of obesity or a cause. 

The bacterial species Christensenella minuta was found in minimal quantities in obese patients. It appears to be a protective species in the gut that can help fight off obesity. Christensenella minuta was used in studies with mice and a replicated human microbiome. The following benefits were noticed:

  • Protection from diet-induced obesity
  • Hepatic lipid metabolism was regulated, which helped inhibit DNL (de novo lipogenesis) from making new fatty acids to be stored
  • Intestinal integrity was protected
  • Metabolic biomarkers were normalized (leptin and glycemia)

Studies are in the process of seeing how this bacterium can be utilized to reduce or reverse obesity. 

Can changing your gut microbiome reverse obesity?

Research is investigating how the gut microbiome can be manipulated to make positive changes to human health. While specifics for individual conditions haven’t been figured out quite yet, there are some healthy things you can do for your body that can help keep the microbiome healthier. 

When the gut microbiome is altered in a positive way, health changes do follow. Some studies have found that while gut changes cause the health to improve, weight loss doesn’t immediately happen. In these instances, it can be difficult for the patient because while their health is improving, they’re still dealing with excess weight. This is why working closely with your doctor during this period is extremely important. They can help monitor LPS, cholesterol, blood sugar, and other levels that show your health improving. They can also help you navigate the emotions that can come with the journey. 

There is no one answer to improving gut health. It’s a combination of healthy changes that help your body gradually progress.

Eating fibrous foods is going to be one of the most important things. This can be difficult because many people have had low-fiber diets without realizing it. This causes their bodies to have a harder time digesting fiber. People with conditions like IBS, IBD, or other gastrointestinal difficulties often eat low-fiber diets to avoid symptom flare-ups. However, this can contribute to an endless cycle of poor gut health and disease progression. 

Atrantil is a great solution for this. Atrantil helps to reduce inflammation, improve the state of the gut microbiome by removing opportunistic species, and it supplies the healthy microbes with gentle prebiotics. These prebiotics feed the good strains of bacteria so they can repopulate the gut with more healthy species. This also allows them to give off health-improving postbiotics that can help repair any damage that may have happened along the way. 

Having good routines for exercise and sleep is extremely important as well. Lack of sleep is associated with gut dysbiosis and obesity. Exercise helps to regulate the gut microbiome, reduce weight, and improve cardiovascular health. 

Obesity can cause stress mentally as much as it does physically to the body. Practicing mindfulness and stress-reducing activities can help you stay on track and not lose your motivation. Finding hobbies that you love and people that you enjoy spending time with are incredibly helpful for your gut health. By reducing stress and boosting your happiness, your gut and body experience less inflammation and can begin to heal. 

This combination is so powerful to help make the changes more sustainable. So focus on what you can, work closely with the doctor that you trust, and you’ll be on your way to a healthier gut microbiome and a reduction of obesity. 

Check out these articles for more information on gut health:

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