Khaberni - A recent scientific study has revealed exciting results that may change the way obesity and weight loss mechanisms are viewed.
It has been found that following a diet based on intermittently restricting calories, known as "extended intermittent fasting" or intermittent energy restriction (IER), not only leads to weight loss but also causes simultaneous dynamic changes in the brain and gut, areas long thought by scientists to play intertwined roles in controlling appetite and eating behavior, according to the "ScienceAlert" scientific site.
The study, published in the journal Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology and conducted by researchers in China, followed 25 obese volunteers over 62 days, during which they adhered to a precise program based on reducing calories on specific days. During this period, participants lost an average of 7.6 kilograms, which is about 8% of their original weight, a notable rate over a relatively short period.
Changes Beyond Weight Loss
But the most important aspect of this study was not just the weight loss but the biological changes that accompanied it. Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) scans showed altered activity in brain areas known for their roles in regulating appetite, addiction, and behavioral control, most notably the "lower ventromedial frontal lobe," associated with willpower toward food and response to food stimuli.
In this context, researcher Xiang Xing from the National Medical Center for Geriatric Diseases in China said: "We have shown that the IER regime clearly and concurrently alters the brain-gut-microbiome axis, where gut bacteria and brain activity related to eating behavior change dynamically during and after weight loss."
Highly Sensitive Axis
Analyses of feces and blood samples, along with the brain changes, revealed a clear shift in the gut microbiome composition. Some types of bacteria like Coprococcus comes and Eubacterium hallii were linked to less activity in parts of the brain that control evaluation and decision-making, indicating a potential relationship between gut bacteria balance and the brain's ability to regulate appetite.
Researcher Xiaoning Wang explained, "The gut microbiome communicates with the brain bidirectionally. It produces neurotransmitters and substances that affect the nervous system, while the brain controls eating behavior. Moreover, the type of food immediately changes the shape of the microbiome."
This mutual interaction might explain why some diets are successful for some people and not for others, as it turns out that weight loss is not just a simple equation of dietary calories, but a complex system of neuronal and bacterial signals.
Broad Effects
It is believed that understanding these interactions might help in developing unconventional treatments for obesity, such as targeting specific brain areas or modifying gut bacteria through supplements or specialized medication. This is particularly important as the number of people suffering from obesity exceeds one billion worldwide, with a close association between obesity and serious diseases such as diabetes, cancer, and heart diseases.
Researcher Liming Wang from the Chinese Academy of Sciences stated, "The next challenge is identifying the precise mechanisms of this communication between the brain and microbiome, and determining which bacterial or brain regions are essential for successful weight loss and its maintenance."
Deeper Understanding of Obesity
These findings open the door to new interpretations of why it is difficult for some to maintain weight and why their bodies regain the lost weight quickly.
It also suggests that creating an effective weight loss plan may need to focus on both the brain and the gut, not just on the number of calories.
