08:01 AM Sunday, December 24, 2023
A recent study conducted by researchers at the Health Management Institute in Beijing revealed that a weight loss diet can cause changes in the brain and bacteria in the intestines.
This method, known as intermittent energy restriction (IER), involves alternating between days of eating normally and days of fasting, according to the New York Post.
The researchers revealed intermittent energy restriction (IER) can lead to a significant change in the gut microbiome and brain activity.
Understanding these relationships sheds light on the factors involved in successful dieting and maintaining a healthy weight, the researchers said.
Intermittent fasting has been repeatedly criticized for its alleged risks, ranging from type 2 diabetes to an increased risk of death.
During the study, participants lost an average of about 7 kg (16 lbs) over two months of intermittent energy restriction.
Once the study ended, participants showed “a decrease in activity in brain areas associated with appetite regulation and addiction.”
An “increase in the abundance of certain gut bacteria that can aid attention, motor inhibition, emotion, and learning” has also been demonstrated.
Dr Qiang Zeng from PLA General Hospital in Beijing said: “Here we show that a dietary intermittent energy restriction regime alters the human brain microbiome axis. The observed changes in the gut microbiome and in activity in relevant brain regions as well as during and after weight loss are very dynamic.” associated with the passage of time.
The study included a comprehensive investigation of stool samples from 25 obese participants, both women and men, from China.
These individuals, with an average age of 27 years and a BMI range from 28 to 45, were asked to follow a strict intermittent energy restriction diet.
The researchers used a range of techniques including metagenomics of stool samples, blood measurements, and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to track changes in the gut microbiome, brain activity, and more.
Participants first went through a 32-day highly controlled fasting phase, where they ate meals prepared by nutritionists to suit their needs with a gradual reduction in calorie intake.
The participants then spent 30 days in what is called a “low-control fasting phase,” where they were allowed to make more of their own choices.
The study, published in the journal Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology, indicates that the weight loss method can help reduce obesity-related problems such as high blood pressure, hyperlipidemia, and liver dysfunction.
However, some negative side effects have been observed, especially regarding executive function, which can affect our will to lose weight.
“A healthy, balanced gut microbiome is critical for energy balance and maintaining normal weight,” Dr. Yongli Li said. “In contrast, an abnormal gut microbiome can alter our eating behavior by influencing specific brain regions associated with addiction.”
Dr Liming Wang from the Institute of Microbiology in Beijing added: “The next question to be answered is the precise mechanism by which the gut microbiome and brain communicate in obese people, including during weight loss.”
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2023-12-24 06:01:00
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