The Unforeseen Link Between Your Gut and Your Waistline
By
Dr. Scott Olson, ND
Posted April 23, 2024
As the weather warms up and summer approaches, many of us start thinking about shedding those extra pounds…
We dust off our gym memberships, stock up on salad greens, and vow to finally fit into those shorts from last year.
But what if I told you that the key to achieving a healthy weight might not lie in the gym or even on your plate? What if the answer was hiding deep within your gut?
Researchers at Cedars-Sinai have made a groundbreaking discovery that could change the way we think about body weight and obesity.
They’ve found that significant variations in the microbes inhabiting the small bowel (small intestine) are strongly linked to different body weights, from normal to overweight and obesity.
This is the first study to comprehensively examine the small bowel microbiome in relation to body mass index (BMI). The findings, published in the American Journal of Gastroenterology, could pave the way for new treatments and personalized interventions for obesity-related diseases.
The gut microbiome, which includes the bacteria, fungi, and viruses that call your gastrointestinal tract home, has been a hot topic in health research in recent years. Imbalances in these microbial populations have been observed in the stool samples of patients with obesity-related diseases.
But until now, no one had taken a deep dive into the small bowel microbiome.
Using specialized techniques, the Cedars-Sinai team analyzed the microbial populations in the duodenum, the first part of the small bowel where nutrient absorption begins. They examined samples from 214 patients classified as normal weight, overweight, or having obesity based on CDC guidelines.
What they found was astounding. The small bowel microbiome was significantly and specifically altered in participants who were overweight or had obesity compared to those of normal weight. Some of these changes were even progressive, moving from normal weight to overweight to obesity.
One bacterial population, in particular, stood out: Lactobacillus. This microbe, commonly found in dairy products, probiotics, and some vegan foods, exhibited highly species-specific associations in subjects classified as overweight or having obesity.
This finding is particularly important because many people regularly consume Lactobacillus-containing products. While more research is needed to understand the cause-and-effect relationship, this discovery could lead to new therapeutic targets and personalized interventions for obesity-related diseases.
So, what does this mean for you?
Well, it’s not quite as simple as popping a probiotic and watching the pounds melt away. The causes of obesity are multifactorial, involving genetics, gut hormones, and even socioeconomic and psychosocial factors.
But understanding the role of the small bowel microbiome in weight gain is a crucial step towards developing new treatments and improving the health of millions.
As you embark on your summer weight loss journey, remember that the answer may not lie in counting calories alone. Nurturing a healthy gut microbiome through a balanced diet and lifestyle could be the missing piece of the puzzle.
P.S. Hidden heart danger lurking in your GUT?
Source:
Leite, Gabriela PhD1; et al., Characterization of the Small Bowel Microbiome Reveals Different Profiles in Human Subjects Who Are Overweight or Have Obesity. The American Journal of Gastroenterology ():10.14309/ajg.0000000000002790, April 22, 2024. | DOI: 10.14309/ajg.0000000000002790
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...