Some stunning facts about the microbiome
(including how it can help you lose weight and fight inflammation, cancer, diabetes)
(short thread)
full video:
1) we're more microbial than human
we're effectively supra-organisms, and may have more bacterial than human cells
only 1% of the genes we carry are human. the other 99% are in our microbiome (bugs in out gut). ALL of those genes can impact our health
nature.com/articles/nrmic…
2) we can digest fiber
Fiber isn't excreted unchanged as we used to think. It (esp. soluble fraction) is digested by the microbiome, which produces short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) - butyrate, acetate, propionate
SCFAs feed our gut wall and help prevent disease
3) SCFAs regulate hormone balance and appetite/weight
Direct administration of SCFA precursors induces the gut wall to secrete hormones that signal satiety and prevent weight gain
gut.bmj.com/content/64/11/…
4) SCFAs can prevent/ameliorate disease
SCFAs have been implicated in reducing inflammation and preventing colon cancer
cell.com/cell/fulltext/…
5) fiber can improve glucose control
RCT data showed improved glucose parameters in diabetics on a high fiber, whole grain-rich diet
“high-fiber diet promoted growth of SCFA-producing organisms (...) and correlated with improved blood-glucose”
science.sciencemag.org/content/359/63…
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