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Time of India
2 days ago
- Health
- Time of India
Scientists find a gut microbe that works as a natural alternative to Ozempic
Image credits: Getty Images Science has made life way easier than it could ever have been without it. From antidotes and vaccines to alternatives, when science is at work, everything is possible. In a surprising turn of events, scientists may have just found a way to naturally regulate blood sugar levels and sugar cravings without the use of injectables such as Ozempic. A gut microbe and its metabolites proved to be the key in unlocking the natural process in humans and mice due to the compound it produced during digestion, as per a study published in Nature Microbiology. Researchers led by a team at Jiangnan University in China showed how they can "orchestrate the secretion of glucagon-like peptide-1" in diabetic mice by increasing the abundance of this particular gut microbe. Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) is a hormone that is naturally produced by the body and helps it regulate blood sugar levels and feelings of fullness. Its release is stimulated by certain foods and gut microbes, and its mechanism of action is mimicked by drugs like semaglutide, the ingredient behind Ozempic. Ozempic comes in as a saviour for people with type 2 diabetes who have an impaired GLP-1 function, thus causing issues with blood sugar control. These drugs mimic the natural processes in the body, and while they are highly effective, researchers do want to probe how to get the body to produce more GLP-1 on its own. "A growing body of research has revealed that our cravings for dietary components originate from signals sent from the gut, a key organ in transmitting dietary preferences," explained the authors in the paper. "However, which genes, gut flora, and metabolites in the gut microenvironment are involved in the regulation of sugar preference is currently unclear." Which gut microbe is it? Image credits: Getty Images The research suggests gut microbes like Bacteroides vulgatus and their metabolites may help shape a person's sweet tooth. In the experiments, if mice could not produce a gut protein called Ffar4, the gut colonies of reduced. This, in turn, reduced the release of a hormone called FGF21, which it connected to sugar cravings. The GLP-1 options when used in mice, are known to stimulate FGF21. Meanwhile, in humans, some studies suggest that those with variants of the FGF21 hormone are about 205 times more likely to be top-ranking consumers of sweet foods. In a blood analysis of 60 participants with type 2diabetes and 24 healthy controls, researchers in China found that Ffar4 mutations that reduce FGF21 production are linked to an increased preference for sugar, "which may be an important contributor to the development of diabetes." However, when mice were treated with a metabolite of it boosted GLP-1 secretion and also triggered the secretion of FGF21. This meant more blood sugar control and less sugar cravings in mice.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Scientists May Have Identified a Natural Alternative to Ozempic
Scientists may have identified a way to naturally regulate blood sugar levels and sugar cravings in a similar fashion to drugs like Ozempic. In mice and humans, the key to unlocking this natural process was found to be a gut microbe and its metabolites – the compounds it produces during digestion. By increasing the abundance of this one gut microbe in diabetic mice, researchers led by a team at Jiangnan University in China showed they can "orchestrate the secretion of glucagon-like peptide-1". Related: Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) is a hormone that is naturally produced by the body and which helps regulate blood sugar levels and feelings of fullness. GLP-1's release is stimulated by certain foods and gut microbes, and its mechanism of action is mimicked by drugs like semaglutide (the ingredient behind Ozempic). People with type 2 diabetes typically have impaired GLP-1 function, leading to issues with blood sugar control, which is why Ozempic and other GLP-1 agonists work as treatments. These drugs mimic natural processes in the body, and while they have proved very effective, some researchers want to figure out how to get the body to produce more GLP-1 on its own. "A growing body of research has revealed that our cravings for dietary components originate from signals sent from the gut, a key organ in transmitting dietary preferences," explain the authors in their paper published in January. "However, which genes, gut flora, and metabolites in the gut microenvironment are involved in the regulation of sugar preference is currently unclear." The new research suggests gut microbes like Bacteroides vulgatus and their metabolites may help shape a person's sweet tooth. In experiments, if mice could not produce a gut protein, called Ffar4, the researchers found the gut colonies of B. vulgatus shrank. This, in turn, decreased the release of a hormone called FGF21, which is tied to sugar cravings. In studies of mice taking GLP-1 agonists, researchers have found the drugs stimulate FGF21. Meanwhile, in humans, some studies suggest that those with genetic variants for the FGF21 hormone are about 20 percent more likely to be top-ranking consumers of sweet foods. In a blood analysis of 60 participants with type 2 diabetes and 24 healthy controls, the researchers in China found that Ffar4 mutations, which reduce FGF21 production, are linked to an increased preference for sugar, "which may be an important contributor to the development of diabetes." What's more, the gut microbiome could be a key mediator of that process. Sure enough, the research team found that when mice were treated with a metabolite of B. vulgatus, it boosted GLP-1 secretion, which then also triggered the secretion of FGF21. Together, this meant more blood sugar control and fewer sugar cravings in mice. Whether the same will extend to humans remains to be seen, but the authors claim their study "provides a strategy for diabetes prevention." The study was published in Nature Microbiology. An earlier version of this article was first published in January 2025. Related News New Research Confirms Weight-Loss Drug Link With Sudden Vision Loss This Amazing Blob Is Stunningly Similar to The Human Brain Air Conditioning Could Put You at Risk of 'Sick Building Syndrome' Solve the daily Crossword
Time of India
05-05-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Forget Ozempic, scientists find a microbe that can work like a natural alternative to popular diabetes and weight loss drug
Scientists at Jiangnan University in China have identified a gut microbe that could act as a natural alternative to diabetes and 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. #Pahalgam Terrorist Attack Inside Operation Tupac: Pakistan's secret project to burn Kashmir Who is Asim Munir, the Zia-style general shaping Pakistan's faith-driven military revival 'Looking for partners, not preachers': India's strong message for EU amid LoC tensions 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. Live Events 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.
NDTV
03-05-2025
- Health
- NDTV
Nature's Ozempic? Scientists Uncover Potential Weight Loss Solution
Scientists have made a groundbreaking discovery that could potentially replace weight loss drugs like Ozempic with a natural alternative. Researchers at Jiangnan University in China have identified a gut microbe, Bacteroides vulgatus, and its metabolites that can naturally regulate blood sugar levels and sugar cravings. The study, published in Nature Microbiology, found that increasing the abundance of this microbe in diabetic mice can stimulate the secretion of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), a hormone that helps regulate blood sugar levels and feelings of fullness. GLP-1 is a natural hormone produced by the body, and its impaired function is often seen in people with type 2 diabetes. Drugs like Ozempic mimic this natural process, but researchers are now exploring ways to get the body to produce more GLP-1 on its own. The new research suggests that gut microbes like B. vulgatus and their metabolites may play a key role in shaping a person's sweet tooth. The study found that mice lacking a gut protein called Ffar4 had reduced gut colonies of B. vulgatus, leading to decreased release of a hormone called FGF21, which is tied to sugar cravings. In humans, genetic variants of FGF21 were linked to an increased preference for sweet foods. The research team also found that treating mice with a metabolite of B. vulgatus boosted GLP-1 secretion, which then triggered the secretion of FGF21. This breakthrough discovery could lead to new ways to manage weight and blood sugar levels naturally, potentially reducing the need for drugs like Ozempic. Further research is needed to explore the potential of this natural alternative.
Yahoo
02-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Scientists May Have Found a Natural Alternative to Ozempic
Scientists may have identified a way to naturally regulate blood sugar levels and sugar cravings in a similar fashion to drugs like Ozempic. In mice and humans, the key to unlocking this natural process was found to be a gut microbe and its metabolites – the compounds it produces during digestion. By increasing the abundance of this one gut microbe in diabetic mice, researchers led by a team at Jiangnan University in China showed they can "orchestrate the secretion of glucagon-like peptide-1". Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) is a hormone that is naturally produced by the body and which helps regulate blood sugar levels and feelings of fullness. GLP-1's release is stimulated by certain foods and gut microbes, and its mechanism of action is mimicked by drugs like semaglutide (the ingredient behind Ozempic). People with type 2 diabetes typically have impaired GLP-1 function, leading to issues with blood sugar control, which is why Ozempic and other GLP-1 agonists work as treatments. These drugs mimic natural processes in the body, and while they have proved very effective, some researchers want to figure out how to get the body to produce more GLP-1 on its own. "A growing body of research has revealed that our cravings for dietary components originate from signals sent from the gut, a key organ in transmitting dietary preferences," explain the authors in their paper published in January. "However, which genes, gut flora, and metabolites in the gut microenvironment are involved in the regulation of sugar preference is currently unclear." The new research suggests gut microbes like Bacteroides vulgatus and their metabolites may help shape a person's sweet tooth. In experiments, if mice could not produce a gut protein, called Ffar4, the researchers found the gut colonies of B. vulgatus shrank. This, in turn, decreased the release of a hormone called FGF21, which is tied to sugar cravings. In studies of mice taking GLP-1 agonists, researchers have found the drugs stimulate FGF21. Meanwhile, in humans, some studies suggest that those with genetic variants for the FGF21 hormone are about 20 percent more likely to be top-ranking consumers of sweet foods. In a blood analysis of 60 participants with type 2 diabetes and 24 healthy controls, the researchers in China found that Ffar4 mutations, which reduce FGF21 production, are linked to an increased preference for sugar, "which may be an important contributor to the development of diabetes." What's more, the gut microbiome could be a key mediator of that process. Sure enough, the research team found that when mice were treated with a metabolite of B. vulgatus, it boosted GLP-1 secretion, which then also triggered the secretion of FGF21. Together, this meant more blood sugar control and fewer sugar cravings in mice. Whether the same will extend to humans remains to be seen, but the authors claim their study "provides a strategy for diabetes prevention." The study was published in Nature Microbiology. An earlier version of this article was first published in January 2025. Landmark Study Finds Semaglutide Effectively Treats Serious Liver Disease Alzheimer's Could Be Linked to a Common Virus You Already Have Common Gut Fungus May Protect Against Fatty Liver Disease, Study Finds
