Diets that are rich in fish oil versus those that are rich in lard produce very different bacteria in the stomachs of mice. These findings, which are now published Cell Metabolism, are reported on in a study from the Sahlgrenska Academy.
MICE THAT RECEIVED MICROBES ASSOCIATED WITH FISH OIL HAD LESS CHANCE OF DIET INDUCED WEIGHT GAIN
To come to this conclusion, researchers transferred microbes into mice to see how they affected the overall health of the animals. The mice that received the transplant of microbes associated with a fish oil diet were protected against diet-induced weight gain and inflammation, whereas the mice transplanted with gut microbes associated with a lard diet were not. This research demonstrates that gut microbes are an independent factor associated with aggravating inflammation and that probiotics might help counteract the effects of a greasier diet.
SCIENTISTS WERE DETERMINED TO FIND OUT IF GUT MICROBES MADE A METABOLIC DIFFERENCE
The scientists stated that they were determined to figure out whether or not the gut microbes directly contributed to the metabolic differences that are associated with diets rich in healthy and unhealthy fats. Although the study was conducted on mice, their ultimate goal is to identify interventions in healthy humans.
MICE WERE FED FISH OR LARD FOR 11 WEEKS
The researchers worked in a lab and fed either lard or fish oil to the mice for 11 weeks and monitored the signs of metabolic health. Although the consumption of lard promoted the growth of bacteria, which can be linked to gut inflammation, the fish oil diet decreased the abundance of bacteria that is known to reduce weight gain as well as improve glucose and metabolism in mice.
Despite having the same energy content and the same amount of dietary fiber, the scientists were surprised to find that the lard and fish oil diet resulted in different gut microbiota communities, which influences overall health in significant ways.
