A Diabetes Danger Lurking in your GUT?
By
Dr. Scott Olson, ND
Posted October 9, 2024
Every day, we discover something new about our gut’s incredible influence on our overall health.
From mood to immunity and even how well we sleep, that community of microbes in our digestive system is pulling the strings behind the scenes.
So, it should come as no surprise that researchers have uncovered yet another way our gut health impacts our well-being.
This time, it’s all about diabetes.
A groundbreaking new study reveals that the microscopic inhabitants of your gut could play a significant role in your risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
Scientists from Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston identified specific bacterial strains and viruses that can cause functional gut microbiome changes linked to an increased risk of type 2 diabetes.
Researchers analyzed data from over 8,000 gut microbiome samples from diverse participants across the United States, China, Israel, and Germany. The extensive study aimed to provide more definitive answers about the link between gut health and diabetes risk… and it did.
It turns out that a particular strain of gut bacteria called Prevotella copri (P. copri for short) could be a key player in this diabetes drama. This sneaky little microbe can produce large amounts of branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs), which are associated with insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes.
The researchers found that folks with type 2 diabetes were significantly more likely to have this specific strain of P. copri in their gut.
But the plot thickens. The study also found evidence that bacteriophages—viruses that only infect bacterial cells—might drive changes to specific bacterial strains in the gut microbiome, further increasing the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
Think of it as a microscopic game of tag, where these viruses chase and infect certain bacteria, causing them to behave differently and potentially contributing to diabetes risk.
Now, you might be wondering what this means for you. Well, this research opens up exciting new possibilities for preventing and treating type 2 diabetes.
For starters, it reinforces the importance of maintaining a healthy gut microbiome. While we can’t control all the factors that influence our gut health, there are steps we can take to nurture our beneficial gut bacteria:
- Eat a diverse diet rich in fiber, fruits, and vegetables.
- Include fermented foods like yogurt, kefir, and sauerkraut in your meals.
- Limit processed foods and artificial sweeteners, which can disrupt your gut balance.
- Stay hydrated and get regular exercise, both of which support a healthy microbiome.
Additionally, this research could lead to new targeted treatments for type 2 diabetes. We might even see the development of probiotics specifically designed to counteract the effects of harmful bacterial strains or even therapies that use bacteriophages to modify the gut microbiome in beneficial ways.
Remember, while this research is exciting, it doesn’t mean you should ignore traditional diabetes risk factors like diet, exercise, and family history. Instead, think of it as another tool to understand and potentially reduce your risk.
P.S. Do THIS to avoid diabetes.
Source:
Mei, Z., Wang, F., Bhosle, A., Dong, D., Mehta, R., Ghazi, A., Zhang, Y., Liu, Y., Rinott, E., Ma, S., Rimm, E. B., Daviglus, M., Willett, W. C., Knight, R., Hu, F. B., Qi, Q., Chan, A. T., Burk, R. D., Stampfer, M. J., . . . Wang, D. D. (2024). Strain-specific gut microbial signatures in type 2 diabetes identified in a cross-cohort analysis of 8,117 metagenomes. Nature Medicine, 30(8), 2265-2276.
Written By Dr. Scott Olson, ND
Nearly 25 years ago, failed mainstream medical treatments left Dr. Olson in constant pain – and his health in ruins. And that’s when he did something REVOLUTIONARY. He began his career in medicine – and dedicated his life to uncovering the true, underlying causes of disease.
Through his innovative medical practices in Tennessee and Colorado, Dr. Olson has helped cure countless seniors from across America of arthritis… heart disease… diabetes… and even cancer. All without risky prescription drugs or painful surgeries.
View More Free Articles
Stop Obsessing Over Diet Trends
Can we stop with the endless diet debates already? Every other week there’s a new headline shouting about which diet is best for weight loss, heart health, or diabetes. Paleo, keto, low-carb, high-protein… it’s exhausting. And now, a new meta-analysis is out comparing the Mediterranean diet, the DASH diet, and something called AHEI (that’s “Alternative...
A New Reason to Ditch Processed Junk
If you’ve ever walked the inside aisles of your local grocery store and thought, “This is all just junk,” your instincts were spot on. A new study published in the journal Thorax just added another red flag to the list of dangers linked to ultra-processed food—a 41 percent higher risk of lung cancer. That’s right....
When Being Winded on Stairs Is Serious (And When It Isn’t)
I had an athlete visit me recently because he experienced shortness of breath while climbing stairs. He is in great shape, so he was worried about what it might mean. “Doc,” he said, “I run five miles three times a week. Why am I huffing and puffing after two flights of stairs?” His concern is...
Study EXPOSES Hidden Danger Lurking in Your Car
We think of our homes and cars as safe havens. But according to a startling new study, they may be flooding your lungs with microscopic plastic particles—every single day. Researchers in France recently found that adults inhale an average of 68,000 microplastic particles daily from indoor air alone. To put that in perspective, that’s about...
Mailbag: Is Modern Food Making You Snore?
“What can cause snoring, and is there a way to correct this issue?” —Seeking Silence Hi Seeking, Snoring happens when the soft tissues in your throat relax and vibrate as air passes through during sleep. While several factors can cause snoring—from sleep position to nasal congestion—I want to share one trigger that might surprise you....
Simple Food Swap SLASHES Dementia Risk 28%
Let’s be honest… who would jump at the chance to cut their dementia risk by 28 percent. And no, you don’t need to run marathons, survive on broccoli, or learn to play the zither (whatever that is) to make it happen. All it takes is one easy swap—something that’s probably already in your refrigerator. Researchers...
This SMART Floss Exposes Hidden Health Danger
Scientists have created dental floss that doesn’t just clean between your teeth—it also tracks your stress while you’re flossing. Now, I know what you’re thinking… “Great—now even flossing is going to stress me out by telling me how stressed I am.” But this fascinating new tool from Tufts University could be a game-changer for understanding...
Is This "Safe" Sweetener Damaging Your Brain?
The headlines are alarming… “Popular Sugar Substitute Linked to Brain Cell Damage” and “Erythritol Could Damage Critical Brain Barrier” are just two of the dozens I’ve spotted recently. But before you toss every sugar-free product in your pantry, let’s take a closer look at what this study actually shows—and what it doesn’t. The latest research...
This Summer Threat Could SPIKE Your Blood Sugar
Picture this… It’s another scorching hot summer day. You crank up the air conditioning while watching the weather forecast, which predicts yet another “record-breaking” heat wave. It’s starting to feel like just another miserably uncomfortable summer. But what you might not realize is that—if you have diabetes—those rising temps could do far more damage to...
Move Over Yogurt—5 Foods That Pack MORE Probiotics
Let’s talk about your gut. The microbiome is the collection of trillions of bacteria and other tiny organisms that live in and on your body—especially in your gut—and help keep you healthy. I’ve written often about how vital it is to maintain a healthy microbiome. And you might have dutifully added yogurt to your shopping...