Understanding How Obesity, Gut Bacteria, and Natural Medicines Are Connected

Obesity affects more than 1.5 billion people globally and is linked to numerous chronic diseases.

• The gut microbiota may play a significant role in regulating metabolism, immune function, and energy balance.
• In obesity, a decline in gut microbial diversity and shifts in community composition, such as an increased Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio, are observed.
• These changes in gut microbiota can disrupt energy balance, promote fat accumulation, cause chronic inflammation, and affect appetite regulation.
• Natural medicines, including purified phytochemicals and herbal extracts, could help reduce obesity by positively altering gut microbiota.
• Identified mechanisms include restoring microbial balance, increasing short-chain fatty acid production, enhancing gut barrier function, and modulating the gut-brain connection.
• Most current evidence comes from preclinical studies, indicating a need for well-controlled human trials to establish causal relationships.

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