New Study Reveals Gut Bacteria Linked to Food Addiction
A recent international study has identified specific gut bacteria associated with food addiction, shedding light on potential treatments for this behavioral disorder. Researchers found that certain gut bacteria can contribute to the development of food addiction in both mice and humans, leading to obesity. Conversely, they also identified bacteria with protective effects against food addiction.
The study, presented at the Federation of European Neuroscience Societies (FENS) Forum 2024 and published in the journal Gut, utilized a questionnaire to diagnose food addiction in both mice and humans. By analyzing the gut bacteria of food-addicted individuals, researchers discovered an increase in Proteobacteria and a decrease in Actinobacteria and Blautia.
Furthermore, the study highlighted the positive effects of increasing the abundance of Actinobacteria and Bacillota in protecting against food addiction. Oral administration of prebiotics led to improvements in food addiction symptoms in mice, providing a promising avenue for future treatments.
The findings underline the intricate relationship between gut bacteria and brain function, offering new insights into the complex origins of food addiction and related disorders. By understanding this crosstalk between behavior and gut bacteria, researchers hope to develop effective therapies for food addiction in the future.
Vocabulary List:
- Addiction /əˈdɪk.ʃən/ (noun): The state of being physically or mentally dependent on a particular substance or activity.
- Bacteria /bækˈtɪr.i.ə/ (noun): Microscopic single-celled organisms that can be found in various environments.
- Obesity /oʊˈbiː.sɪ.ti/ (noun): The condition of being significantly overweight posing health risks.
- Crosstalk /ˈkrɔːs.tɔːk/ (noun): Communication or interaction between two or more systems often leading to interference.
- Prebiotics /ˌpriː.baɪˈɒt.ɪks/ (noun): Substances that induce the growth or activity of beneficial microorganisms.
- Therapies /ˈθer.ə.piz/ (noun): Various treatments intended to alleviate or manage health issues.
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