Intermittent Calorie Restriction: Key to Weight Management Through Brain-Gut Microbiome Changes

Scientists are studying obesity and have found that intermittent calorie restriction (IER) can change the gut and brain. This discovery may help people maintain a healthy weight.

Researchers from China monitored 25 obese volunteers for 62 days. Participants followed an IER program, which carefully controlled calorie intake and included fasting on some days. Qiang Zeng, a health researcher, noted that the IER diet alters the brain-gut-microbiome axis.

The gut and brain are closely connected. Some brain regions are crucial for regulating appetite and addiction. Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) scans showed changes in brain activity during the study. These changes were linked to specific areas, like the inferior frontal orbital gyrus.

The gut microbiome also changed during the study. Researchers analyzed stool samples and blood measurements. Certain bacteria, such as Coprococcus comes and Eubacterium hallii, were linked to activity in brain regions associated with willpower and food intake.

Xiaoning Wang, a medical scientist, explained that the gut microbiome communicates with the brain. The microbiome produces neurotransmitters and neurotoxins that affect the brain. The brain, in turn, influences eating behavior and is affected by dietary changes.

Obesity affects over a billion people globally. It increases the risk of various health issues, including cancer and heart disease. Understanding the connection between the brain and gut could help in preventing and reducing obesity.

Researchers aim to discover how the gut microbiome and the brain interact in obese individuals, especially during weight loss. They seek to identify the specific microbiome types and brain regions critical for successful weight loss and weight maintenance.

This research was published in Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology.