Forget Ozempic, scientists find a microbe that can work like a natural alternative to popular diabetes and weight loss drug
weight loss
drugs like
Ozempic
. The study, published in Nature Microbiology, shows that the microbe may help regulate blood sugar and reduce sugar cravings without the need for medication.
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Gut microbes may regulate blood sugar naturally
The research focused on
Bacteroides vulgatus
, a type of bacteria found in the human gut. When its presence was increased in diabetic mice, it stimulated the release of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1). This hormone helps control blood sugar levels and creates a feeling of fullness after eating.
GLP-1 and Ozempic work on the same hormone
GLP-1 is produced naturally in the body, but its function is often impaired in people with type 2 diabetes. Drugs like Ozempic are designed to imitate this hormone. The new study suggests that gut microbes could help the body increase GLP-1 levels on its own.
Link between gut protein and sweet cravings
The researchers found that mice missing a gut protein called Ffar4 had fewer colonies of Bacteroides vulgatus. This led to a decrease in a hormone called FGF21, which plays a role in sugar cravings. The study also found that people with certain genetic variants of FGF21 are more likely to prefer sweet foods.
'Treating mice with a metabolite of B. vulgatus boosted GLP-1 secretion, which then triggered the secretion of FGF21,' the research team said.
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Further research required
The scientists believe this discovery could help develop natural methods to manage weight and blood sugar. However, more research is needed to confirm how these findings could benefit humans.
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