The unprecedented success of Ozempic has led to the emergence of purported “natural alternatives” that claim to replicate the same effects on body weight. However, these claims are often exaggerated or unfounded.
A new tool. According to a paper published in Nature Microbiology, a group of researchers recently discovered a natural mechanism that may help individuals with diabetes regulate their blood sugar levels. This mechanism has been identified in a specific bacterium found in our gut microbiota and its metabolites–compounds produced when the body breaks down food.
In a study conducted with mice and validated in human patients, researchers observed that an increased presence of the Bacteroides vulgatus gut microbes, along with their metabolite, pantothenic acid (or vitamin B5), stimulated the secretion of the hormone known as glucagon-like peptide-1, or GLP-1.
Ozempic and GLP-1. GLP-1 is a hormone released by our body in response to food intake. It triggers two key reactions. First, it stimulates insulin secretion. Second, it creates a sense of satiety in the brain.
Ozempic’s active ingredient, semaglutide, and similar medications like tripeptide and liraglutide function as analogs of GLP-1. These drugs promote insulin secretion and enhance the sensation of fullness.
FFAR4. The recent study revealed that a protein called free fatty acid receptor 4 (FFAR4) mediates the relationship between pantothenic acid and the secretion of the GLP-1 hormone. Scientists found that blood cells from both mice and humans with diabetes exhibited low levels of this protein. Additionally, individuals with mutations in the FFAR4 gene showed a greater inclination toward sugar consumption.
The reseach team also identified a correlation between the presence of Bacteroides vulgatus and the levels of the FFAR4 protein, which is linked to the hormone FGF21. This connection is significant due to its association with the preference for sugar. These relationships are collectively referred to as the GLP-1-FGF21 hormone axis.
Biochemistry of cravings. The study outlines a series of interactions that influence several organs in the body, including the stomach, liver, and brain. To further explore these relationships, researchers administered pantothenic acid to mice and discovered that this vitamin influenced the rodents’ sugar preferences.
As such, the team unveiled a new mechanism that regulates the preference for sugar and sugary foods, highlighting how intestinal fatty acid receptors play a crucial role in these dietary inclinations.
The Ozempic impact. The success of drugs like Ozempic has significant implications, particularly regarding the focus on the GLP-1 hormone and its potential analogs. As the prevalence of non-communicable diseases, such as diabetes, continues to rise, this development is promising. It not only addresses the issue of obesity but also tackles more serious health concerns linked to cardiovascular diseases and diabetes itself.
The recent discovery in this field could lead to new prevention mechanisms for diabetes. These advancements may involve agonists of the FFAR4 protein receptors or targeting the Bacteroides vulgatus bacteria. Additionally, the study sheds light on the brain-gut connection–a relatively unexplored area that has garnered increasing attention in recent years.
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