Your body’s gut bacteria has its very own Ozempic-like system, a study suggests, and scientists believe manipulating it could ramp up weight loss without the drug’s nasty side effects.
Researchers from Duke University in North Carolina have discovered specialized bacteria and cells in the colon that can send signals to the brain to control how much you eat and curb appetite, similarly to how weight-loss drugs work.
In the animal study, the scientists found that while eating, a gut bacteria known as flagella releases flagellin protein that then produces a hormone called PYY.
When the body feels full or has reached food satisfaction, the PYY hormone alerts the colon’s neurobiotic sense, a direct communication channel between the gut and nervous system, to let the brain know to stop eating in real time and prevent a person from consuming excessive calories.
The scientists found that when this bacterial sensing system breaks down, people tend to eat more food and gain significantly more weight than people with a fully functioning system, which can lead to obesity.
As a result, they concluded that this unique system naturally mimics the appetite-suppressing effects of GLP-1 drugs in the body and can help control weight gain.
They also believe that manipulating the bacterial system and enhancing the natural communication, through certain diets or by taking prebiotics and probiotics, could help with weight loss.
Senior author Diego Bohórquez, an associate professor of medicine and neurobiology at the university, said: ‘Looking ahead, I think this work will be especially helpful for the broader scientific community to explain how our behavior is influenced by microbes.’
Duke University researchers have discovered colon bacteria and cells that mimic Ozempic
He continued: ‘We were curious whether the body could sense microbial patterns in real time and not just as an immune or inflammatory response, but as a neural response that guides behavior in real time.’
The study, which was published in Nature, tested the gut mechanism on two groups of mice: one which had the receptors for the PYY hormone in their gut, known as TLR5, and another that did not.
Both groups of mice fasted overnight and were given a small dose of flagellin directly into the colon the next day.
The mice with TLR5 receptors in their gut ate less the next day, while those without consumed larger meals and gained more weight.
The increased food consumption was seen in both male and female mice.
While the results are yet to be replicated in humans, the scientists concluded that the flagellin could trigger cells in the gut to send an appetite-suppressing signal to the brain.
According to the researchers, the key player in the system is flagellin.
When excessive amounts of food are consumed, the gut bacteria releases high amounts of flagellin in the colon, which in turn sends more urgent signals to the brain to stop eating.
The scientists noted that without the TLR5 receptors and the gut’s ‘We’ve had enough’ signal, the person continues to eat without realizing they are full.
The results indicated that the presence of TLR5 receptors in the gut’s cells and the production of the PYY hormone act as the body’s natural ‘stop eating’ signal.
Scientists say this system mimics the effects of GLP-1 drugs and can help control weight gain
Pictured: Flagella, a gut bacteria that releases the flagellin protein and releases PYY hormone
The study authors wrote: ‘It’s similar to how we use our other senses – sight, sound, smell, taste and touch – to interpret our world. But this one operates from an unexpected place: The gut.’
Based on these results, the scientists hope to further understand how the gut detects microbes and can influence everything from eating habits to mood.
Popular weight-loss drugs such as semaglutide (Ozempic) and tirzepatide (Mounjaro) target brain chemistry and suppressing appetite, but they can also lead to long-term side effects and damage to vital organs such as the liver, kidneys and thyroid.
However, the discovery of the gut’s ‘sixth sense’ of food consumption, as well as the possibility to increase the presence of flagella through diet changes or supplements, can help people naturally lose weight without suffering the extreme side effects of GLP-1 weight-loss drugs.
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