The gut microbiome influences gut hormone release, affecting individuals’ metabolism and blood sugar metabolism. This alteration in the microbial composition can influence host metabolism by affecting the levels of bacteria and hormones, which may lead to improved insulin sensitivity and glucose tolerance. Exercise also plays a significant role in regulating the microbiome by providing a favorable environment for beneficial bacteria to flourish and causing an imbalance in microbiota-intestinal metabolites.
Understanding the role of the different gut bacteria in affecting host metabolism is critical for optimizing health and preventing metabolic diseases. The bacteria in the gut can also affect the body’s response to external factors, such as exercise, which can help to optimize development. Additionally, understanding these external factors’ role in influencing microbial composition is important for optimizing growth and preventing metabolic diseases.
The gut microbiota influences gut physiology and metabolic health, and dysbiosis gut microbiota can lead to metabolic diseases. Gut bacteria form a symbiotic relationship with the host, controlling metabolic function by modulating glucose, fat, cholesterol, and bile acid metabolism. This influence affects gut metabolism, hunger, and the infiltration of calorie intake into the host. It does so by activating hormone receptors on muscle cells involved in insulin action and fat accumulation. Also, hormones released from the liver and muscles regulate digestion, hunger signals, and fat storage.
The connection between gut health and metabolism is a close one. Bacteria and other microbes in the gut are essential for metabolizing food, absorbing nutrients, regulating immune system response, and healthy brain function.
The gut microbiome plays a critical role in how we metabolize bile acids, and this, in turn, has a significant effect on our metabolic rate. The gut bacterial community also affects the body’s metabolism rate, as the metabolites produced by these microorganisms can influence the host cells. This can lead to metabolic conditions such as obesity and neurological diseases, including Parkinson’s. In addition, by inhibiting signaling pathways within the body, these bacteria can affect gut microbiome health figures and therefore impact on host’s health. This is why it is essential to maintain a healthy human gut microbiome, as this will not only improve metabolism but also aid in preventing diseases, including Parkinson’s disease.
Here is a list of ways to create a healthy microbiome:
- Eat your vegetables such as leeks, onions, broccoli, and spinach
- Eliminate sugars, avoid processed foods, and eat more complex sugars such as honey, dark chocolate, apples, berries, and sweet potatoes
- Take a probiotic that includes live cultures (consult with your doctor to learn about the right culture strains)
- Avoid antibiotics – these are your gut’s worst enemy
- Fermented foods are gut-friendly. Try eating some kimchee, pickles, or sauerkraut
- Cut back on red meats
- Get plenty of rest and exercise regularly
Bacteria and metabolism: the good, the bad and the ugly
Following these guidelines and consulting with a professional when needed will give readers all the information they need to get their metabolisms back up and running optimally! Learn more about metabolism by getting a copy of Metabolism & Medicine by Dr. Brian Fertig.
Dr. Brian Fertig is one of the nation’s leading endocrinologists with 35 years of practice in diabetes, endocrinology, and metabolism. As the founder and president of Diabetes and Osteoporosis Center in Piscataway, New Jersey, Dr. Fertig’s passion for patient care and research led him to write a two-volume comprehensive book on metabolism and the human body, “Metabolism and Medicine.” Dr. Fertig’s poignant, informative monograph on metabolism is the definitive resource on metabolism and biophysical processes at all scales of the physiological journey.