Diabetes prevention

How diet and gut microbiota impact the development of diabetes

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In the context of the 4th Yogurt Summit in April 2016 in San Diego, we publish every week a key-study of one of the guest speakers. This week we introduce Li Wen: A combination of genetic and environmental factors may contribute to the development of type 2 diabetes (T2D). This review focuses on the role of diet and gut microbiota in the development of type 2 diabetes and obesity. 

Obesity is a major driving force in the worldwide epidemic of TD2 and is associated with excessive fat accumulation and low-grade inflammation. There is growing evidence that gut
microbiota also play an important role in the development of obesity. Interactions between gut microbiota and host metabolism are crucial, predisposing to obesity and diabetes.

Composition of gut microbiota

Gut microbiota composition showed differences, when comparing obese vs. lean animal and human subjects. Altered gut microbiota have been strongly associated with host obesity and risk of developing T2D.

Evidence suggests that the difference may lie in two major bacteria phyla: Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes. Higher Firmicutes and lower Bacteroidetes were found in obese subjects, whereas the opposite correlation was found in people with normal weight.

The influence of diet

Diet has a dominant role in shaping gut microbiota. Studies showed that dietary change was associated with 57% structural variation in gut microbiota. “Balanced” gut microbiota are necessary to maintain the equilibrium between energy generation and expenditure, influencing the host fat storage. A healthy diet may benefit the gut microbiota composition, including probiotics in yogurt.

Source: Ningwen, T., Wong, S., Wen, L., The role of gut microbiota in the development of type 1, type 2 diabetes mellitus and obesity, Rev Endocr Metab Disord 2015, Vol 16, pg. 55–65.

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