The gut bacterial flora, or microbiome as researchers call it, could manipulate our mood and even our food cravings. In any case, this is what emerges from the study carried out by two research teams from Arizona State University, UC San Francisco and the University of New Mexico.
After studying all the scientific literature on the microbiome, the researchers found that the different species of bacteria do not all have the same nutritional needs. Where some prefer foods high in sugar, for example, others prefer fat. And, to be able to remain implanted in our intestine which constitutes their ecosystem, the bacteria must obtain the nutrients which they need. Thus they release molecular signals to our endocrine or nervous system, which then induce physiological and behavioral responses, pushing us to prefer this or that food.
“The microbes in our gut have the ability to manipulate themood and behavior by altering neural signals in the vagus nerve, changing taste receptors, and producing toxins that make us feel bad, or conversely ‘rewards’ that will make us feel good,” explains Athena. Aktipis, co-author of the study.
“The bacteria in the intestines are manipulative, adds Carlo Maley, director of the UC of San Francisco, they do not all have the same interests; some correspond to our dietary goals while others do not. »
A microbiome to modify to fight against obesity
It was also demonstrated in this same study that certain bacterial strains increased anxiety in mice, or that the consumption of probiotics containing Lactobacillus casei could improve mood, during a clinical trial on humans.
Treatments based on probiotics, faecal transplantation or antibiotics could eventually be developed to allow us to maintain our nutritional balance, or to fight againstobesity.
“Targeting the microbiome could increase the possibilities of preventing diseases such as obesity, diabetes or cancer of the gastrointestinal system. We are only beginning to scratch the surface of the importance of the microbiome in human health,” concludes researcher Athena Aktipis.
Source:
Alcock, J., Maley, CC and Aktipis, CA (2014), Is eating behavior manipulated by the gastrointestinal microbiota? Evolutionary pressures and potential mechanisms, published in the scientific journal Bioessays. doi: 10.1002/bies.201400071
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