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

• Published in: Microbial pathogenesis Vol. 124; pp. 266 - 271
• Main Authors: Lone, Jameel Barkat, Koh, Wee Yin, Parray, Hilal A., Paek, Woon K., Lim, Jeongheui, Rather, Irfan A., Jan, Arif Tasleem
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Elsevier Ltd 01-11-2018
• Subjects: Gut microbiota; Lifestyle; Metabolic disorders; Metabolic endotoxemia; Obesity; Gut microbiota; Obesity; Lifestyle; Metabolic disorders; Metabolic endotoxemia
• ISSN: 0882-4010; 1096-1208
• DOI: 10.1016/j.micpath.2018.08.036

Obesity 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.
•Obesity is influenced by genetic as well as dietary and lifestyle pattern.•Imbalance in the gut microbiota has been found associated with obesity.•Probiotics and prebiotics modulate gut microbiota, thereby influence occurrence of obesity.•Fiber-enriched diet and plant based bio-actives helps in the alleviations of obesity associated complications.