In a recent study, researchers from Mayo Clinic find that gut bacteria can influence weight loss outcome in some people.
The rising incidence of obesity requires better treatment.
The aim of this study was to determine whether gut microbiota could predict the lifestyle intervention program in overweight and obese adults.
In the study, the team recruited 26 people from the Mayo Clinic Obesity Treatment Research Program between August 6, 2013, and September 12, 2013.
All of the people took part in a lifestyle intervention program for weight loss. Adults aged 18 to 65 years with a BMI of 27 to 39.9 were included in the study.
Fecal stool samples were obtained at baseline and after 3 months. Loss of at least 5% of baseline weight after 3 months was defined as success.
The team compared gut bacteria between those who achieved at least 5% and those who achieved less than 5% weight loss.
After 3 months, the researchers found that 9 of 26 participants lost at least 5% of their weight.
The mean weight loss was 7.89 kg in the success group and 1.51 kg in the less than 5% weight loss group.
In gut bacteria, an increased abundance of Phascolarctobacterium was associated with weight loss success.
In contrast, an increased abundance of Dialister and of genes encoding gut microbial carbohydrate-active enzymes was linked to failure to lose 5% body weight.
The team suggests that a gut microbiota with higher capability for carbohydrate metabolism may be linked to decreased weight loss in overweight and obese patients in the lifestyle intervention program.
Purna Kashyap, M.B.B.S., a Mayo Clinic gastroenterologist, is a co-senior author of the study.
Vandana Nehra, M.D, a Mayo Clinic gastroenterologist, is a co-senior author of the study.
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