Scientists may have identified a way to naturally regulate blood sugar levels and sugar cravings in a way similar to drugs like Ozempic.
In mice and humans, the key to unlocking this natural process turns out to be gut bacteria and their metabolites, the compounds they produce during digestion.
Researchers led by a team from China’s Jiangnan University found that by increasing the abundance of this gut bacteria in diabetic mice, shown They can “regulate the secretion of glucagon-like peptide-1.”
Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) is a hormone naturally produced in the body that helps regulate blood sugar levels and satiety. GLP-1 release is stimulated by certain foods and gut microbes, and its mechanism of action is mimicked by drugs such as semaglutide (the ingredient in Ozempic).
Patients with type 2 diabetes usually have impaired GLP-1 function, leading to problems with blood sugar control. Therefore, Ozempic and other GLP-1 agonists serve as therapeutic agents.
These drugs mimic natural processes in the body and have proven to be highly effective, but some researchers are looking into ways to make the body produce more GLP-1 on its own. I would like to clarify this.
“More research has revealed that our cravings for dietary components originate from signals sent by the gut, an important organ that communicates dietary preferences.” explain Authors.
“However, it is currently unknown which genes, gut microbiota, and metabolites within the gut microenvironment are involved in regulating sugar preference.”
New research suggests that gut bacteria are: Bacteroides vulgatus And its metabolites may help develop a person’s sweet tooth.
In experiments, researchers found intestinal colonies when mice failed to produce an intestinal protein called Ffar4. B. vulgatus Shrunk. This reduced the release of a hormone called FGF21, which is associated with sugar cravings.
In a study of mice treated with a GLP-1 agonist, researchers Found Drugs stimulate FGF21.
On the other hand, in humans, some research It suggests that people with genetic variations in the FGF21 hormone are about 20% more likely to be top consumers of sweet foods.
In a blood analysis of 60 participants with type 2 diabetes and 24 healthy controls, Chinese researchers found that the Ffar4 mutation, which reduces the production of FGF21, is associated with an increased preference for sugar. did. Diabetes. “
Furthermore, the gut microbiome may be an important mediator of that process.
Sure enough, the research team found that when mice were treated with the following metabolites: B. Vargatas, It promoted the secretion of GLP-1 and subsequently also induced the secretion of FGF21.
In short, this meant that the mice had better blood sugar control and reduced sugar cravings.
It remains to be seen whether the same holds true for humans, but the authors Claim Their research “offers diabetes prevention strategies.”
This study natural microbiology.
