Anorexia nervosa (AN) is an eating disorder where people have an intense fear of gaining weight, leading to extreme dieting and dangerously low body weight. It long been seen as a psychiatric issue, but new research suggests it might also involve our gut buddies, the microbiome! Researchers found that the gut microbiota of people with AN is significantly different from those at a healthy weight. These differences could be linked to the persistent malnourishment and psychological symptoms in AN patients.
In a fascinating twist, the scientists transplanted gut bacteria from AN patients into germ-free mice, which then had trouble regaining weight. This suggests that our tiny gut residents might play a role in the starvation response of people with AN. Who knew our gut bugs could be so influential?
While the exact causes of AN are still a mystery, this research opens up new possibilities for innovative treatments, like adding fermented foods to our diets or trying out nutritional supplements. However, before we start lining up for gut bacteria transplants, more research is needed to figure out if the microbiome dysbiosis is a cause or a consequence of AN. The gut microbiome might be the missing piece of the puzzle, but only time will tell!
GIbiome 