Cell: Sugar destroys the gut microbiome and eliminates protection against obesity and diabetes

The findings, published in the journal Cell, suggest that diet is important, but an optimal microbiome is just as important

Diet changes microbes

Western-style high-fat, high-sugar diets can lead to obesity, metabolic syndrome, and diabetes, but how this diet triggers unhealthy changes in the body is unknown

The gut microbiome is essential for nutrient absorption by animals, so Ivalyo Ivanov, Ph.

After four weeks of dieting, the animals exhibited features of metabolic syndrome, such as weight gain, insulin resistance, and glucose intolerance

The microbiome alters Th17 cells

The researchers found that through the effects on Th17 immune cells, a reduction in filamentous bacteria was critical

Ivanov said: "The molecules produced by these immune cells can slow the absorption of 'bad' lipids by the intestine, thereby reducing inflammation

Sugars and fats

Which component of a high-fat, high-sugar diet is responsible for these changes? Ivanov's team found that sugar was the culprit

Ivanov said: "Sugar eliminates filamentous bacteria and the protective Th17 cells disappear

However, not eating sugar did not help

Ivanov said: "This suggests that some popular dietary interventions, such as reducing sugar, may only be effective

In this case, certain probiotics may help

Although filamentous bacteria in humans are not the same as those in mice, Ivanov believes that other bacteria in the human body may have the same protective effect

Providing Th17 cells to mice also provides protection and may also have therapeutic effects

"Our study highlights that the complex interactions between diet, microbiota, and immune system play a key role

Article title

Microbiota imbalance induced by dietary sugar disrupts immune-mediated protection from metabolic syndrome