EDMONTON – A recent study at the University of Alberta found that stool transplants, along with fiber, help improve insulin sensitivity in severely obese people.
A six-week clinical study at U of A, led by Karen Madsen, a medical professor, showed that improving insulin sensitivity in patients with metabolic syndrome or obesity made the bodies able to use glucose more effectively.
“The research provides further evidence that the microbiome can benefit patient health,” said Madsen.
“You were metabolically healthy.”
61 patients with a body mass index of 40 or higher were enrolled on the Edmonton bariatric surgery waiting list for the study. Participants had insulin resistance, high blood sugar, and / or high blood pressure – all of which can eventually lead to diabetes.
According to the study, patients who received a single dose of oral fecal microbial transplant followed by daily fiber supplementation resulted in lower blood sugar levels.
“These patients were given the most popular drugs for metabolic syndrome and we were able to improve them further,” added Madsen.
Madsen explained that the microbiome is all beetles, microorganisms, bacteria, viruses, protozoa, and fungi that are found in the gastrointestinal tract. She said that people with various diseases are known to have altered microbial ingredients. So, replacing unhealthy bacteria with healthy bacteria can lead to improved health.
“WE ONLY SCRATCH THE SURFACE”
The stool transplants contained microbes from healthy stool donors, according to the study. The gut affects a number of processes including inflammation, metabolism, and immune functions.
“The potential for improving human health through the microbiome is immense,” noted Madsen.
“We’re just scratching the surface at the moment.”
The researcher says this is the first of its kind to show that oral stool transplantation is effective.
The grafts for this study were taken from four slim, healthy donors and prepared in the U of A laboratory. The capsules had neither taste nor smell.
However, according to Madsen’s research, post-transplant fiber supplements were “the key to success.”
“When you transplant beneficial microbes, you have to feed them to keep them close,” Madsen said.
For example, “If you give a new microbe and don’t feed it, if you continue to eat processed foods without fiber, that microbe is likely to die,” Madsen explained.
According to Madsen, our bodies don’t naturally produce enzymes that are needed to break down fiber; That’s why the bacteria have to live.
The study experimented with fermentable fiber found in beans as well as non-fermentable fiber found in whole grains.
“Unfermented fiber can alter bowel motility – how fast things move, as well as act as a filler and blender that can alter bile acid levels, which may help explain our findings,” said Madsen.
NEXT STEPS
With the success of the clinical trial, Madsen said the next step will be a longer trial with more participants in multiple centers. They then monitored the graft and fiber combination, changes in drug needs, and weight loss.
If the results continue to show benefits, the pills could be available as a potential drug therapy within five years, Madsen said.
She recommends supporting the healthy gut microbiome by consuming less processed foods and more fiber-rich foods like whole grains, fruits, and vegetables.
