Role of Gut Microbiota on Weight Regulation

Abstract

Diet is a source of microbiota. Different food consumption can affect the composition of gut microbiota. The gut microflora plays a main role in energy hemostasis from the diet and also has a key role in maintaining human health. Imbalance in the gut microbiota is associated with weight gain and several mechanisms are proposed in this issue. The influences of the gut microbiota composition extent to multiple systems including glucose and lipid hemostasis, and inflammation and fat mass related diseases. The gut microflora composition is different in lean and obese humans. Manipulation of host diet may lead to new treatments of obesity. Antibiotics, prebiotics, and probiotics modify the gut microbiota. The effect of probiotics on the gut microflora depends on the strain and could be associated with weight loss. Weight loss is also associated with changes in the gut microflora. Dietary properties and specific strategies can modulate metabolism by regulation of gut microbiota. In this article, we reviewed the effects of gut microbiota on weight regulation and their potential abilities for weight loss. Currently, the gut microflora is known as a microbial organ placed within the human. Thus, it is useful to improve strategies for gut microbiota manipulation to control metabolic disorders. Further studies are needed to clarify the underlying mechanisms of microbe-host interactions.