The trillions of bacteria and other microbes inside our gastrointestinal (GI) tract, collectively known as the human gut microbiome, play significant roles in our general health.

The scientific community previously believed that the three pounds of bacteria that live in our gut did not affect our health; however, researchers now know that bacteria are essential to good health. Many perform critical tasks such as helping digest certain foods and producing vitamins, including vitamin K.

However, research has shown that a disturbance to our gut bacteria caused by diet, genetics or other lifestyle choices might also contribute to or even cause metabolic disorders like type 2 diabetes. In addition, how well a glycemic-index based diet works varies between people with different types of gut bacteria.

Gut Bacteria & Insulin Resistance

In a recent study, increased abundances of specific bacterial communities in the GI tract were linked to a higher risk of developing insulin resistance, a precursor to prediabetes or type 2 diabetes.

This research, published in Nature by scientists at the University of Copenhagen, might lead to potential treatments for the diabetes epidemic.

Understanding how insulin affects the human required researchers to observe samples from the gut microbiome of 75 type 2 diabetes patients and 277 non-diabetic patients utilizing state-of-the-art sequencing technologies.

Gut Bacteria & BCAAs

In addition to insulin resistance, the research revealed the type 2 diabetes group also had elevated blood concentrations of branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs), a subgroup of amino acids. The increase in BCAAs was correlated to specific shifts in the specific bacterial communities.

The two bacterial species identified, Prevotella copri and Bacteroides vulgatus, were responsible for the majority of the gut BCAAs produced. Once identified, researchers fed mice with P. coprifor three weeks.

The results were fascinating: specific microbial imbalances play significant roles in insulin resistance. The P. copri-fed group developed increased levels of BCAAs, intolerance to glucose, and insulin resistance compared to the germ-free mice.

Validation is required by a larger study with more diverse populations to observe bacterial communities in high risk patients. Future studies that help scientists understand how the microbiome works may lead to more effective therapies or even a cure for diabetes.

Monitoring and Managing Your Gut Microbiome

Extensive future research is required, especially to translate results into practical and widely applicable treatments. One major potential treatment can be found in personalized probiotics that contain strains targeted to treat specific diseases. We have already discovered clues as to what medicine might look like in the future to keep your microbiome healthy and prevent and cure disease.

1. Sequence your microbiome. Monitoring changes in your gut microbiome, whether during a diet, exercise or other lifestyle change, is a great way to help figure out what works the best for you at a microscopic level.
2. Talk with your doctor about including probiotic supplements in your daily diet to rebalance your gut.
3. Prebiotics (fiber) like fructooligosaccharides (FOS) encourage the growth of beneficial bacteria. Asparagus, tomatoes, garlic, and kale are just a few of the food sources containing prebiotics, which feed beneficial bacteria already living in your gut.

Future studies on the human microbiome and the relation between gut health and diabetes are necessary to establish a definite link and applicable treatments for diabetes. It is great to know this research is happening and trial studies like the one cited in this article are yielding great potential and basis for future studies.