Has provoking microbiota aggression driven the obesity epidemic?

Abstract

Alterations in the gut microbiome have increasingly been implicated in driving obesity and its associated diseases, but underlying mechanisms remain poorly defined. Herein, in addition to reviewing the field, we hypothesize that a highly significant causative factor of such inflammatory disease-associated microbiome alterations is a more aggressive microbiota that encroaches upon its host, with components having high potential to activate host pro-inflammatory gene expression in a manner that drives metabolic disease. We further hypothesize that a range of societal changes, including use of antibiotics and increasing consumption of food additives, have provoked such microbiota aggression and, consequently, may be contributing factors to the increased incidence of obesity and its associated diseases.

Food Additives and Contaminants: Effects on Human Gut Microbiota—A Review

“…The ingestion of DEs, such as carboxymethylcellulose or polysorbate 80, dramatically reduced the mucus layer thickness and was involved in the onset of intestinal inflammation, obesity, and diabetes. These effects were also associated with an increased food intake, from an unknown origin [70].…”

“…Most processed foods contain one or more DEs that allow such foods to maintain desired textures and avoid separation into distinct parts. Two DEs, namely carboxymethylcellulose and polysorbate 80, had been demonstrated to promote bacterial overgrowth in the murine SI and facilitate translocation of bacteria across a model gut epithelia [70]. Some authors have suggested that DEs may be one specific factor resulting from industrialization that has resulted in a reduction of GM diversity, altered host-microbiota interactions and, consequently, have contributed to the increased incidence of metabolic syndrome and other inflammatory diseases in industrialized societies [70,71].…”

“…Two DEs, namely carboxymethylcellulose and polysorbate 80, had been demonstrated to promote bacterial overgrowth in the murine SI and facilitate translocation of bacteria across a model gut epithelia [70]. Some authors have suggested that DEs may be one specific factor resulting from industrialization that has resulted in a reduction of GM diversity, altered host-microbiota interactions and, consequently, have contributed to the increased incidence of metabolic syndrome and other inflammatory diseases in industrialized societies [70,71]. The ingestion of DEs, such as carboxymethylcellulose or polysorbate 80, dramatically reduced the mucus layer thickness and was involved in the onset of intestinal inflammation, obesity, and diabetes.…”

When pathogenic bacteria meet the intestinal microbiota

“…It is indeed primordial for the host to keep the intestinal microbiota at a safe distance from the intestinal epithelium, in order to minimize the appearance of tissue damage and inflammation [53]. The intestinal microbiota is restricted to the intestinal lumen by a mucus layer that overlays the epithelium.…”

Insulin, glucose and beta-hydroxybutyrate responses to a medium-chain triglyceride-based sports supplement: A pilot study

“…maltodextrin or highly branched cyclic dextrin), 9,14 emulsifiers or caseinate salts. All of these have potential downsides: (1) high glycaemic index carbohydrates may increase the insulin response and suppress endogenous lipolysis, 15 (2) emulsifiers can negatively affect GI health 16,17,18 and (3) dairy constituents such as casein are common food allergens. 19 Here, we report on an open-label pilot trial examining the glucose, insulin and BHB responses to an MCT-based sports supplement powder using a digestion-resistant carbohydrate as the sole powder component.…”