Consuming omega-3s as part of a healthy diet rich in fiber and probiotics may improve the diversity of the gut microbiome, according to results of a study published in the medical journal Scientific Report.
Researchers from Nottingham School of Medicine in the UK examined the gut microbiome of 876 middle-aged and older women to analyze the diversity and amount of good bacteria in their guts based on their food intake. omega-3 and their blood level of omega-3 fatty acids.
Omega-3s to improve the intestinal flora and protect against diseases
Study results showed that women who had higher dietary omega-3 intake and higher serum levels had a more diverse gut microbiome, which was associated with a number of health benefits, including a lower risk of diabetes, obesity and inflammatory bowel diseases such as colitis Where Crohn’s disease.
“We also found that certain specific bacteria, associated with reduced inflammation and a lower risk of obesity, are more present in people who consume more fatty acids. Omega 3“, adds Cristina Menni, doctor at King’s College (London), who participated in this study. “We continued by exploring the compounds present in the stool and discovered that, in addition to fish proteins and Omega 3high omega-3 blood levels are associated with a high presence of a molecule called N-carbamylglutamate (NCG) in the gut.”
“This compound has been shown to reduce oxidative stress in the gut in some animals. We believe that some of the beneficial effects of omega-3s in the gut may be due to omega-3s causing bacteria to produce this stuff.”
Read also:
A campaign to understand everything about our bacteria
Intestinal microbiota: it must be taken care of from birth
I take care of my intestinal flora