Posted on 12/27/2014 12:18:08 PM PST by 2ndDivisionVet
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....
(Excerpt) Read more at onlinelibrary.wiley.com ...
Also nuts, which are a great snack, and very filling...low in carbs, with good fats and good protein content. We keep the pantry stocked with seven or eight different kinds.
My mother-in-law thinks she can eat only half a handful of nuts and stay thin. I eat as many as I want, and I’m not fat.
Limiting carbs is the key.
For the second time, a single capsule! of Phillips Colon Health Probiotic Support (actually a Kroger copy) has halted a several month GI disturbance for me (of course, I have to keep taking it for the effect to continue). Two of the three included bacteria types (Lactobacillus gasseri; Bifidobacterium bifidum; Bifidobacterium longum) — the second and third, target the colon very effectively.
Thank you for your post. My wife and I have been losing weight but seem to have hit a wall. I went from 225 to 195 in six months but can’t seem to lose anymore. Your post reminded me that we both stopped eating yogurt as a replacement for snacks.
Bookmark bump
Yes but are you available? LOL!!
Same here. In fact they’re adamant on that point.
Are other artificial sweeteners easier on the good bacteria or are they all about the same?
I doubt any artificial sweeteners are good, but Sucralose is the DDT of intestinal flora.
Yes!!!...to nuts...we keep a large jar on the counter...it’s what I have 1st thing in a.m. along with coffee/coconut oil/cinnamon
Stevia may be ok
??? Available for what?
I’m drinking a diet Sunkist right now. I’ve used Splenda since it came out, and my stomach is fine.
Coconut oil is great stuff.
The only way you can know for sure is with a fecal analysis.
Or if you get a drug resistant bacterial disease. One of annually 2 million Americans who get them each year. (CDC data)
Well, I’m not looking for trouble, so *drink*.
I’ll have to admit my first reaction was one that calculated in the Leftist’s avoidance of responsibility for anything they do. Somebody drinks, it’s an illness. Someone eats too much, it’s an eating disorder, possibly induced by something the individual can’t control.
So it wasn’t my first reaction, to buy into this.
As with many ideas, you can’t dismiss them totally. I suppose these microbes could secrete certain chemicals that cause us to crave certain foods, or stimulate pleasure centers when we eat what they want us to.
I try to know what I need to be eating and stick to it. If I go off track for a few days, I’ll return to my game plan afterwards and get back to normal ASAP.
I control my eating. I make conscious decisions. I hold myself accountable. Even if there’s a microbe in there telling me what to do, I like to think my brain and decision making abilities trump it’s actions.
Interesting concept...
My grandfather was a country doctor. One of his mantra was "listen to your body; it will tell you what you need".
Consequently, when I have a craving for something, I respond. And, invariably, I'll find that the foods I might be craving will have one thing in common: a particular trace mineral, magnesium, e.g.
I do think there’s some truth in this, that your body can tell you what you need if you can listen and discern meaning from it.
This explains my addiction to Kimchi...
Interesting info
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