Non-digestible oligosaccharides-based prebiotics to ameliorate obesity: Overview of experimental evidence and future

G Divyashri1, Pothiyappan Karthik2, T P Krishna Murthy1

  • 1Department of Biotechnology, M S Ramaiah Institute of Technology, Bengaluru, 560 054 India.

PubMed

Insights

Prebiotics like non-digestible oligosaccharides (NDOs) show promise for obesity treatment. These compounds promote beneficial gut bacteria and improve metabolic health, offering benefits beyond the colon.

Area of Science:

  • Nutrition Science
  • Microbiology
  • Metabolic Health

Background:

  • Obesity is a global health concern with complex environmental and genetic causes.
  • Current therapeutic strategies for obesity require further development and exploration of novel treatments.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the therapeutic potential of prebiotic non-digestible oligosaccharides (NDOs) for obesity management.
  • To explore the mechanisms by which NDOs exert their anti-obesity effects.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of scientific research on prebiotic NDOs and obesity.
  • Analysis of studies investigating the impact of NDOs on gut microbiota, lipid metabolism, and glucose homeostasis.

Main Results:

  • Prebiotic NDOs modulate gut microbiota composition, favoring beneficial bacteria.
  • NDOs improve lipid metabolism and glucose homeostasis, contributing to weight management.
  • The beneficial effects of NDOs extend beyond the colon, influencing overall health.

Conclusions:

  • Prebiotic NDOs represent a promising therapeutic approach for obesity.
  • Further research into specific NDOs and their mechanisms can optimize obesity treatment strategies.

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