The Journal of nutritional biochemistryDec 16, 2018

Gut bacteria may influence body fat and energy use

Circadian Biology Weekly Brief ↗PubMed ↗DOI ↗

Updated Mar 31, 2026

Abstract

The gut microbiota may influence host energy metabolism and fat storage through mechanisms associated with short-chain fatty acids and lipopolysaccharides.

Gut microbiota typically supports host health but can negatively affect physiology in cases like obesity.
Short-chain fatty acids and lipopolysaccharides are microbial products linked to processes such as fat storage and energy use.
Probiotics may help prevent or reduce conditions like obesity, inflammation, and metabolic syndrome.

Simplified

Normally, the gut microbiota has a mutually beneficial association with host health and maintains its commensal status in mammals. Conversely, it can also negatively influence host physiology under some certain circumstances, including obesity and other disease states. Although numerous gut microbial functions directly affect the gastrointestinal tract, in this paper, we focus on the influences of the gut microbiota on host adipose tissue and energy metabolism, particularly lipometabolism. We thoroughly discuss two important microbial products, short-chain fat acids and lipopolysaccharides, which are linked to several mechanisms involved in obesity and adipose, including differentiation, energy metabolism and immunity. Furthermore, this review also addresses some potentially beneficial functions of probiotics, which can serve to prevent or alleviate host pathological states, including dysbacteriosis, obesity, low-grade inflammation and metabolic syndrome.

Full Text

Full text is available at the source.

View Full Text ↗

Gut bacteria may influence body fat and energy use

Abstract

Full Text

You found one interesting study. We’ll send the next 7.

What Lands in Your Inbox Each Week:

Recent issues from the circadian biology brief

Abstract

Full Text

Related papers

You found one interesting study. We’ll send the next 7.

What Lands in Your Inbox Each Week:

Recent issues from the circadian biology brief