The gut microbiome and its connection to fat distribution
The term "epidemic" should be familiar to everyone by the year 2020 at the latest. But it's not just viruses that pose a threat; our lifestyle is also a concern. Obesity, diabetes, elevated cholesterol levels, and high blood pressure, collectively known as "metabolic syndrome," are no longer isolated cases. Numerous scientific articles warn of the "epidemic of affluence," as its effects are extremely damaging to the heart, blood vessels, and other bodily systems, and can ultimately lead to a heart attack or stroke.
But where is the connection to the gut microbiome?
We'll explain that to you in more detail now:
A very important conclusion was drawn from a study in which the gut microbiome of obese (overweight) organisms was transplanted into germ-free, healthy organisms. As a result, the previously normal-weight organisms also became obese. This established a direct link between the microbiome and obesity!
The problem isn't a few extra pounds around the hips, but rather the distribution of fat. Visceral fat, the fat located deep within the abdomen, is particularly dangerous. And this is where the difference between men and women comes in. The difference in fat distribution between the sexes can be schematically illustrated using the simple geometries of an apple and a pear.
The apple shape describes the centrally located, spherical fat mass in men, the "android" fat distribution, while the pear shape represents the curved lines and fat distribution more concentrated around the hips and buttocks, which is predominantly the case in women and is termed "gynoid" fat distribution. This does not exclude the possibility of men with a pear shape or women with an apple-like shape, and intermediate forms are also possible; however, the terminology is based on a general tendency.
To summarize: there are gynoid and android fat distribution patterns, which can occur in both sexes. Android fat distribution, concentrated in the abdominal area, is associated with a higher risk because it involves highly metabolically active tissue containing many signaling molecules. And please note, we're not talking about the small amount of extra fat that even a healthy person can carry, but about actual obesity!
A 2019 study meticulously measured fat distribution in men and women and analyzed their respective gut microbiomes using genetic analysis. The results clearly demonstrated that the larger and more diverse the gut microbiome, the less likely android fat distribution is to be prevalent. Long live microbiome diversity!
This is closely related to sex hormones. In pre-puberty children, where sex-specific hormones are not yet active in large quantities, there is, for example, no such separation in the microbiome composition.Exactly how sex hormones affect gut bacteria is not yet fully understood, but it is of great interest to research because:
The finding that the composition of the gut microbiome has an impact on fat distribution provides a great basis for future work on analytical methods for at-risk patients and treatment options for people with metabolic and cardiovascular risk potential.
Until then, it's up to us to stay fit and work on our microbiome diversity :)
