Is eating behavior manipulated by the gastrointestinal microbiota?

Wiley Online Library ^ | August 7, 2014 | Joe Alcock, Carlo C. Maley and C. Athena Aktipis

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Abstract

Microbes in the gastrointestinal tract are under selective pressure to manipulate host eating behavior to increase their fitness, sometimes at the expense of host fitness. Microbes may do this through two potential strategies: (i) generating cravings for foods that they specialize on or foods that suppress their competitors, or (ii) inducing dysphoria until we eat foods that enhance their fitness. We review several potential mechanisms for microbial control over eating behavior including microbial influence on reward and satiety pathways, production of toxins that alter mood, changes to receptors including taste receptors, and hijacking of the vagus nerve, the neural axis between the gut and the brain. We also review the evidence for alternative explanations for cravings and unhealthy eating behavior. Because microbiota are easily manipulatable by prebiotics, probiotics, antibiotics, fecal transplants, and dietary changes, altering our microbiota offers a tractable approach to otherwise intractable problems of obesity and unhealthy eating.

Introduction: Evolutionary conflict between host and microbes leads to host manipulation

The struggle to resist cravings for foods that are high in sugar and fat is part of daily life for many people. Unhealthy eating is a major contributor to health problems including obesity [1] as well as sleep apnea, diabetes, heart disease, and cancer [2-4]. Despite negative effects on health and survival, unhealthy eating patterns are often difficult to change. The resistance to change is frequently framed as a matter of “self-control,” and it has been suggested that multiple “selves” or cognitive modules exist [5] each vying for control over our eating behavior. Here, we suggest another possibility: that evolutionary conflict between host and microbes in the gut leads microbes to divergent interests over host eating behavior. Gut microbes may manipulate host eating behavior in ways that promote their fitness at the expense of host fitness....

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Alternate Headline:
Bacteria Hypnotize Brain Into Craving Junk Food - Tells Brain it Tastes Better

[MomwithHope]

It has certainly helped me lose weight and stay healthy. I almost never eat yogurt. Instead it’s kefir, kombucha, homemade sauerkraut and homemade pickles.