Intermittent Fasting with Protein Boosts Gut Health and Weight Loss

Comparing Intermittent Fasting with Protein Pacing (IF-P) and Calorie Restriction (CR)

Researchers conducted a study to compare the effects of two different dietary approaches on the

and metabolic profile in people who are overweight or obese. One approach was an

Intermittent Fasting

A way of eating where you cycle between periods of fasting and eating. This can involve skipping meals or restricting food intake for certain periods of time.

 

diet with protein-rich meal replacements (IF-P), and the other was a calorie-restricted (CR) diet focused on whole foods.

The results showed that the IF-P diet led to more significant changes in the composition of the gut microbiome. The researchers found increases in beneficial bacteria like

,

Rikenellaceae

A family of bacteria that are also commonly found in the gut and are linked to beneficial health outcomes.

 

, and

Marvinbryantia

A genus of bacteria that are part of the gut microbiome and may have positive effects on health.

 

. They also observed improvements in gastrointestinal symptoms for the people following the IF-P diet.

Metabolic Differences Between IF-P and CR Groups

Despite similar calorie intake and expenditure, the participants on the IF-P diet lost significantly more body weight and fat mass compared to the CR group. The researchers believe this may be due to the IF-P diet's higher protein and lower sugar intake, which favorably influenced the gut microbiome and metabolic profile.

The IF-P group exhibited increases in certain circulating

and amino acid

metabolites

Substances produced during the body's chemical processes, such as breaking down food or other compounds. These metabolites can provide information about a person's health and how their body is functioning.

 

associated with fat burning. In contrast, the CR group showed increases in metabolites linked to longevity pathways.

Gut Microbiome and Metabolomic Profiles

The researchers found that the IF-P and CR groups had distinct gut microbiome and metabolomic signatures. The IF-P group had increases in microbes associated with protein breakdown and fat metabolism, while the CR group had more

and metabolites involved in carbohydrate metabolism.

Weight Loss Responsiveness and Gut Microbiome

When the researchers looked at the participants who had the greatest weight loss (at least 10%) on the IF-P diet, they found that these "high responders" had unique gut microbiome and fecal metabolome profiles compared to the "low responders."

The high responders had increases in bacteria like

,

Clostridium leptum

A species of bacteria that is commonly found in the human gut. This bacterium is known to play a role in the breakdown of complex carbohydrates and the production of short-chain fatty acids.

 

, and

Blautia hydrogenotrophica

A type of bacteria that is found in the human gut. This bacterium is involved in the production of hydrogen gas, which can be used by other gut microbes as a source of energy.

 

, along with decreases in butyrate-producing bacteria like

Eubacterium ventriosum

A species of bacteria that is typically found in the human gut. Some research suggests that changes in the levels of this bacterium may be associated with certain health conditions.

 

and

Roseburia inulinivorans

A type of bacteria that is commonly found in the human gut. This bacterium is known to play a role in the breakdown of certain types of dietary fiber, such as inulin.

 

. Their fecal metabolome also showed enrichment in pathways related to lipid metabolism, nucleotide turnover, and amino acid formation.

Long-Term Gut Microbiome Remodeling

The researchers also followed one participant who had the greatest weight loss during the 8-week IF-P intervention over a 52-week period. This case study revealed sustained changes in the participant's gut microbiome, with increases in health-associated bacteria like

,

Anaerostipes hadrus

A type of bacteria that is found in the human gut and is associated with positive health effects.

 

, and

Akkermansia muciniphila

A beneficial bacteria that lives in the mucus layer of the gut and is linked to improved metabolic health.

 

, and decreases in taxa linked to disrupted circadian rhythms and starch degradation.

The fecal metabolome of this participant also showed notable shifts, including increases in compounds like

and

nicotinic acid

Also known as vitamin B3, this is a nutrient that plays a role in various metabolic processes in the body.

 

, and decreases in substances involved in inhibiting intestinal motility.

Conclusion

This study highlights the complex interplay between diet, gut microbiome, and host metabolism. The findings suggest that the gut microbiome and associated metabolic pathways play a crucial role in determining an individual's response to an IF-P dietary intervention for weight loss and metabolic health. The sustained gut microbiome remodeling observed in the case study participant suggests that long-term dietary changes can promote beneficial microbial shifts that support weight management and overall well-being.