Are gut bacteria the cause of metabolic syndrome?
Too much bacteria in the gut changes the way the body processes fat, and could therefore lead to the development of metabolic syndrome, according to new research. Metabolic syndrome is 3 or more of obesity, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, high blood sugar or increased waist circumference. Research has supported the view that plant-derived fibres are good for your health, gut bacteria can ferment them releasing energy-rich short chain fatty acids (SCFA), such as acetate and butyrate which are essential for gut health and preventing metabolic syndrome. However this research in mice suggests that when SCFAs are over-produced and reach the liver, they are converted into lipids which can then lead to the development of obesity, and subsequently metabolic syndrome.
This is likely to be a particular problem in people that lack ‘Toll-like receptor 5’ (TLR5), which is a receptor that regulates gut bacteria and keeps the microbiome stable. According to Matam Vijay-Kumar, one of the study authors, around 10% of the human population have a mutation which renders TLR5 useless, leaving individuals with weakened immune systems that are more likely to succumb to metabolic syndrome. Whilst some short chain fatty acids are beneficial in moderation, there is a worry that unchecked bacterial fermentation could lead to fat deposition in the liver and subsequent development of metabolic syndrome. Vijay-Kumar hopes that more long-term studies will be carried out to discover the full effects of fatty acids and these will eventually lead to a more personalised dietary intake for immunocompromised individuals.
