Gut microbiome: Microflora association with obesity and obesity-related comorbidities

Publication date: Available online 20 August 2018Source: Microbial PathogenesisAuthor(s): Jameel Barkat Lone, Wee Yin Koh, Hilal A. Parray, Woon K. Paek, Jeongheui Lim, Irfan A. Rather, Arif Tasleem JanAbstractObesity and obesity-related comorbidities have transformed into a global epidemic. The number of people suffering from obesity has increased dramatically within the past few decades. This rise in obesity cannot alone be explained by genetic factors; however, diet, environment, lifestyle, and presence of other diseases undoubtedly contribute towards obesity etiology. Nevertheless, evidence suggests that alterations in the gut microbial diversity and composition have a role to play in energy assimilation, storage, and expenditure. In this review, the impact of gut microbiota composition on metabolic functionalities, and potential therapeutics such as gut microbial modulation to manage obesity and its associated comorbidities are highlighted. Optimistically, an understanding of the gut microbiome could facilitate the innovative clinical strategies to restore the normal gut flora and improve lifestyle-related diseases in the future.
Source: Microbial Pathogenesis - Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: research