How Gut Bacteria Affects Diabetes, Plus Gut Health Dos and Donts

It has become clear that having good overall mental and physical health depends on having healthy intestinal bacteria.

Those with diabetes should nurture their beneficial gut bacteria for general well-being, plus four specific reasons. One is that intestinal flora seems related to diabetes onset and progression. The other reasons involve concerns those with diabetes often face: inflammation, weight gain or obesity, and depression.

Diabetes and Gut Health: 4 Concerns

1. Diabetes Onset/Symptoms

Scientists have discovered the gut bacteria of people with type 2 diabetes is different from non-diabetics. For instance, people with type 2 diabetes have too few microbes poetically named Firmicutes, but have an overabundance of those called Bacteriodetes and Proteobacteria.

Amazingly, Dr. Max Nieuwdorp, a Dutch microbiome researcher, reversed type 2 diabetes in 250 study participants by re-populating their guts' bacteria using fecal transplantation. Though the thought of a fecal transplant is a bit off-putting, his resolution of diabetes by changing intestinal flora is remarkable.


The onset of type 1 diabetes also tends to follow alterations in gut bacteria, and investigators are finding that certain microbes can actually help prevent this condition.

2. Weight Gain and Obesity

It seems increasingly likely that poor gut health is related to weight gain and obesity. For instance, when researchers removed four types of bacteria (Lactobacillus, Allobaculum, Rikenelleceae, and Candidatus) from lab animals, it led to their obesity by triggering metabolic changes.

Other research revealed that a microbe called Akkermansia muciniphila helps stave off diabetes, heart disease, and obesity by lowering blood glucose, improving insulin resistance, and helping to distribute body fat. Whether this microbe plays a causative or supportive role is yet unknown.

3. Inflammation

Chronic inflammation has been associated with the onset of many diseases including diabetes and heart disease. The inflammatory response actually begins in the gut and from there finds it way to our brain—the hub of our body’s feedback loop.


4. Depression

Many individuals with diabetes experience symptoms of depression, and depression is increasingly associated with poor gut health. Studies indicate that probiotic supplements help some individuals reduce depression symptoms and behaviors.

Gut Health Dos and Don’ts

To support your intestine’s good bacteria and starve the bad, here are four things you can do:

  1. Eat cultured dairy and fermented foods: lassi, kefir, natto (fermented soy), yogurt, and fermented vegetables such as sauerkraut.
  2. If you do not regularly consume fermented foods, consider taking a high quality probiotic supplement.
  3. Increase your soluble and insoluble fiber intake by eating plenty of vegetables, whole fruits, nuts, and seeds.
  4. Open your windows, spend time in nature, and get your hands soiled by playing outdoors or gardening.

...and four things to avoid:


  1. Avoid taking antibiotics unless absolutely necessary. If you do use one, re-populate your gut by eating fermented and cultured foods, and/or take a quality probiotic supplement.
  2. Consider purchasing antibiotic-free meats, and avoid toxic pesticides by eating more organic produce.
  3. Limit processed food consumption. Food emulsifiers, artificial sweeteners, and excess sugar have an adverse effect on gut flora.
  4. Stop using antibacterial soaps which kill both good and bad bacteria.

Not only does good gut bacteria normalize weight and ward off diabetes, it optimizes the immune system to help prevent, and fight the infections those with diabetes are prone to.

Source: Mercola
Photo credit: LaVladina


More Articles

With its slightly nutty flavor, chewy texture, and nutritional punch farro is an ancient whole grain worth a place in our pantry.

Farro...

Having diabetes is cause for concern, however it doesn’t mean that you need to eliminate all of your favorite foods from your diet completely....

With diabetes becoming more of an epidemic each and every day, being knowledgeable about the disease, its effects on the body as well as ways to...

If you’re a diabetic or live with one, it can be tough trying to figure out the best foods to eat because your priority is to control your blood...

In this post, I will show you the 10 best ice creams for diabetics.

When you think of sweetened foods that a diabetic shouldn’t consume,...

More Articles

If you’re living with diabetes, snacking is a necessity because going for more than 3-4 hours without eating can be detrimental to your health....

For diabetics, choosing healthy snacks can be a daunting task.

A good rule of thumb is to pick out snacks that are rich in protein, fiber,...

According to information available through the National Institutes of Health, there’s an estimated 462 million people in the world who are...

Eleven Clinical Studies

After eleven clinical studies and 300,000 participants, researcher Vasanti Malik and her team of researchers...

Diabetic women often have a harder time losing weight than non-diabetic women. A study funded by Jenny Craig proved that diabetic women have an...

Many recent studies have proved that magnesium levels are lower in patients with diabetes than in non-diabetics. This magnesium...

Fluid retention, also known as edema, is a problem that affects many diabetics, especially those with type 2 diabetes...

Some of us might be thrilled if we could manage our blood sugar by sitting in a hot tub or sauna, instead of working up a sweat biking, or using...

Cooking and baking with the ancient cereal grain sorghum has health benefits for people with diabetes, and those with weight control issues....

When it comes to certain foods, there are always questions as to whether or not a diabetic can have them without...

Matcha tea is a rich, creamy, full-bodied beverage with amazing nutritional properties that address several diabetes health concerns.

The...

Salads are good example of foods that type 2 diabetics can enjoy with relatively low guilt. With the right greens and other elements added, salad...

Remaining gainfully employed is important to many people. Those who live with any form of diabetes may find that some lines of work are more...

Learning that you have diabetes does mean making some lifestyle changes. One of the areas that needs attention is your diet. Most people find that...

One of the more challenging aspects of life as a type 2 diabetic is managing your diet. There’s often the temptation to avoid certain foods...