Manipulating the Gut Microbiota to Manage Obesity

Obesity has currently become a worldwide epidemic. Currently, lifestyle changes, pharmacotherapy and bariatric surgery remains the only available armamentarium. However, lifestyle changes and pharmacotherapy resulted in variable outcomes and are often unsustainable. On the other hand, advances in metagenomics and food biotechnology has reported the important role of gut microbiota in the complex pathophysiology of obesity and its possible role in treating it. This review aims to discuss the potential of manipulating gut microbiota to tackle obesity. Articles were obtained through Pubmed, Science Direct, Google Scholar, High Wire and Elsevier Clinical Key using the keywords “obesity AND gut microbiota or synonyms.” Various studies have shown the interactions between gut microbiota, gut permeability and the immune system as a mechanism that links diet, obesity and its comorbidities. There are currently several reported methods of manipulating gut microbiota namely, though probiotics, prebiotics, synbiotics and diet modification with varying outcomes based on the microbial strain affected and used. Studies have also proposed manipulating gut microbiota as a way to prevent and manage obesity en-mass. Conclusions: Gut microbiota plays a great role in maintaining body’s energy balance. Manipulating gut microbiota has great potential to become a low cost and effective treatment for obesity and its prevention with minimal side effects for long-term use. The various forms of prebiotics, probiotics and synbiotics currently available would be able to increase patient’s compliance and easiness in distribution. Better management of obesity would lead to a reduction in many comorbidities including heart disease, stroke and diabetes.