Obesity is a growing problem worldwide, with the United States having one of the highest levels of obesity in the world. Low-grade chronic inflammation, often caused by dysfunction of white blood cells called monocytes, increases the risk of many health conditions in people with obesity. A small-scale study has found that some dietary interventions can enhance the function of mitochondria in monocytes, reduce inflammation, and modify gut bacteria. Further research is needed to assess whether these findings may help in the treatment of obesity. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), worldwide obesity rates have more than doubled over the past 30 years, with 16% of adults globally now living with obesity.
Formerly an issue in only high-income countries like the United States, where more than 40% of adults have obesity, obesity is now also prevalent in middle-income countries. Obesity is linked to several health conditions, including type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, and some cancers. Chronic low-grade inflammation is a feature of obesity, and research has found that monocytes play a key role in causing this inflammation. A study in Mexico found that some diets can improve the energy use of monocytes, leading to increased weight loss. The study participants were divided into four treatment groups, each following a different diet, and were monitored for changes in mitochondrial function and gut bacteria.
The study participants were aged 18-60 with a BMI of 30-50 kg/m2 and had no chronic diseases or mental health conditions. The researchers found that monocytes from individuals on calorie-restricted, intermittent fasting, and ketogenic diets had significantly increased mitochondrial function. The diets also had a positive impact on gut bacteria, potentially aiding in weight loss. Although these findings are promising, more research is needed to confirm these results, particularly with larger and more diverse study populations. Additional studies could include a broader range of participants to better represent the general population and assess the impact of these dietary interventions on individuals with obesity-related conditions.
The study’s findings suggest that dietary interventions such as calorie restriction, intermittent fasting, and ketogenic diets may have significant benefits for metabolic health and the microbiome in individuals with obesity. Despite being a short-term, small-scale study, participants showed improvements in weight loss, visceral fat reduction, and gut microbiota diversity. These results highlight the importance of considering changes in metabolic health and gut bacteria when designing dietary interventions for obesity. The study also emphasizes the need for further research to confirm and expand upon these findings, including replicating the study with larger and more diverse populations to determine the clinical significance of these interventions.
