Gut Bacteria—Changes Happen Fast!
- 10/31/16
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by
David Perlmutter, M.D., Board-Certified Neurologist
by David Perlmutter, M.D., Board-Certified Neurologist, #1 New York Times Best-Selling Author, Fellow of the American College of Nutrition
One of the most common questions I am asked, both when I am lecturing as well as on social media, focuses on the length of time it takes to change a person’s gut bacteria when dietary changes are made. Many would assume that these changes, which represent an adaptation of the gut microbes to a new diet, might take weeks or months. And no doubt, people are anxious to know the answer to this question as they are becoming more and more aware of the critically important role of our gut microbes in determining our general health, weight and risk for so many disease states including diabetes, arthritis, coronary artery disease, and even cancer.
In a recent study authored by Harvard researcher, Lawrence David, the diets of six males and four females between the ages of 21 and 33 were manipulated in various ways. The subjects maintained a specific change in their diets for four days and assessments of the gut bacteria were made while on a new diet as well as for six days thereafter.
Dr. David’s findings were quite revealing. His team observed some fairly profound changes in the makeup of the gut bacteria occurring just three days after a dietary change!
We live in a world where most of us expect things to happen quickly. Whether it’s ordering from Amazon Prime, or now being able to download a full length movie in a matter of seconds. And so it is that we now know that changes occurring in our gut bacteria are also on the fast track.
So if you’re wanting quick results in terms of your health or with weight loss, it looks like your gut bacteria are standing by and ready to make this happen pronto!
One of the most common questions I am asked, both when I am lecturing as well as on social media, focuses on the length of time it takes to change a person’s gut bacteria when dietary changes are made. Many would assume that these changes, which represent an adaptation of the gut microbes to a new diet, might take weeks or months. And no doubt, people are anxious to know the answer to this question as they are becoming more and more aware of the critically important role of our gut microbes in determining our general health, weight and risk for so many disease states including diabetes, arthritis, coronary artery disease, and even cancer.
In a recent study authored by Harvard researcher, Lawrence David, the diets of six males and four females between the ages of 21 and 33 were manipulated in various ways. The subjects maintained a specific change in their diets for four days and assessments of the gut bacteria were made while on a new diet as well as for six days thereafter.
Dr. David’s findings were quite revealing. His team observed some fairly profound changes in the makeup of the gut bacteria occurring just three days after a dietary change!
We live in a world where most of us expect things to happen quickly. Whether it’s ordering from Amazon Prime, or now being able to download a full length movie in a matter of seconds. And so it is that we now know that changes occurring in our gut bacteria are also on the fast track.
So if you’re wanting quick results in terms of your health or with weight loss, it looks like your gut bacteria are standing by and ready to make this happen pronto!
