How Type 2 Diabetes May Be Linked to an Unhealthy Gut?

What are gut microbes?

What prompts changes in the gut microbes?

Do modified gut bacteria promote diabetes?

• The analyses found that there are four strains of microbes that affect the metabolism of glucose and lipids in the body - Lactobacillus johnsonii and Lactobacillus gasseri helped in improving metabolism (“improvers”). On the other hand, Romboutsia ilealis and Ruminococcus gnavus were found to worsen the metabolism of the body (“worseners”).
• During the study, scientists fed mice with a western diet along with the supplements of “improvers”.
• The results showed that the mice who received the strains of Lactobacilli bacteria (“improvers”) had improved glucose and lipid metabolism. This group of mice also had a lower fat mass index as compared to those who were only fed the diet and no supplements.
• With this study, the scientists concluded that there are individual microbes (and not the entire microbiota) that play a role in developing metabolic diseases such as type 2 diabetes.
• It was further noted that people who have metabolism improvers like lactobacilli in their body tend to have a better body mass index. On the other hand, those with metabolism worsening bacteria tend to be overweight and obese. This is corroborated by the fact that almost 80% of obese people show the presence of R. ilealis in their body.

Can gut bacteria help deal with diabetes?

Conclusion