Scientists have uncovered a potential new ally in the fight against weight gain: a common gut bacterium. A new study suggests that boosting levels of this microbe could help prevent obesity, even when consuming a diet high in fat.
The Mouse Model: A Striking Difference in Weight Gain
Researchers at the University of Utah conducted an eight-week experiment, tracking mice that were fed a high-fat diet. One group received no supplements, while another was given supplements containing Turicibacter, a type of bacteria naturally found in the human gut.
The results were dramatic. Mice that did not receive the supplement gained about 25 percent of their body weight over the study period. In stark contrast, the mice that were fed the Turicibacter supplement gained only about 10 percent of their body weight.
Dr June Round, the immunologist who led the study, expressed her surprise. "I didn't think one microbe would have such a dramatic effect," she said. "So, when [my assistant] brought me the first experiment with Turicibacter and the mice were staying really lean, I was like, 'this is so amazing'. It's pretty exciting when you see those types of results."
How It Might Work and the Human Gut Connection
The precise mechanism remains unclear, but scientists believe Turicibacter's ability to break down fatty molecules is key. The study, published in the journal Cell Metabolism, found that mice given the bacterium had significantly lower levels of ceramides in their guts.
Ceramides are fatty molecules linked to an increased risk of type 2 diabetes and heart disease. Mice on the high-fat diet alone had gut ceramide concentrations of about 300 picomoles of lipid per millilitre. Those receiving Turicibacter had levels of only about 200 pmol lipid/mL.
However, experts caution that Turicibacter struggles to survive in high-fat environments. This means people following a typical Western diet may have low levels of this potentially beneficial bacteria.
Boosting Turicibacter Through Your Diet
While Turicibacter supplements are not yet widely available, previous research indicates you can naturally encourage its growth through diet. The bacteria thrives on fibre, meaning a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, beans, and lentils provides its fuel.
Specific foods and compounds that may promote Turicibacter include:
- Onions, garlic, artichokes, and asparagus.
- Cacao and inulin (a type of fibre).
- Foods containing omega-9 fatty acids, such as olive oil, avocados, almonds, and cashews.
Notably, a prior study found that plum juice raised Turicibacter levels in obese rats, potentially due to its polyphenolic compounds. Conversely, saturated fats should be limited as they can reduce the bacteria's presence.
Future Implications and Expert Dietary Advice
The research opens the door to potentially using Turicibacter or its byproducts to help maintain a healthy weight in humans. "Perhaps we could use this bacterial lipid... as a way to keep a healthy weight," Dr Round suggested.
However, she emphasised that these findings are from mice and must be confirmed in human trials. "We have improved weight gain in mice, but I have no idea if this is actually true in humans," she noted.
Commenting on the broader picture of dieting, leading UK nutritionist Dr Federica Amati told the Daily Mail that focusing on food quality is crucial. "The problem with classic dieting is that it tends to focus almost exclusively on eating less, rather than eating well," she said. She advised that people should not fear eating a larger volume of food if it is healthy and not loaded with added sugars.
With about 74 percent of US adults classified as overweight or obese, according to the CDC, this research highlights the profound and complex role our gut microbiome plays in health, pointing towards future, microbiome-informed strategies for weight management.
