Why junk food might hurt your gut and kidneys

Original Title

Diet, obesity, and the gut microbiome as determinants modulating metabolic outcomes in a non-human primate model

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Summary

Monkeys fed a Western diet (like burgers and fries) had more of a gut bug called Prevotella copri, which was linked to signs of early kidney stress. Monkeys on a Mediterranean diet (like veggies and olive oil) had healthier gut bugs and better cholesterol levels.

Proposed Mechanism
Prevotella copri-mediated metabolic dysfunction in Western diet
Supported by evidence
Eubacterium siraeum-mediated HDL elevation and metabolic health
Supported by evidence
Lactobacillus animalis-mediated reduction in adiposity
Supported by evidence
Bacteroides uniformis-mediated amelioration of metabolic dysfunction in Western diet
Supported by evidence
Ruminococcus champaneliensis-mediated promotion of adiposity and cortisol elevation
Supported by evidence
Microbial production of indole-3-propionate (IPA) enhancing gut barrier and reducing inflammation
Supported by evidence

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Quality Analysis
Methodology
18%
Lower QualityOverall Score
Cohort StudyMedicine/Biology/Nutrition

Systematic Reviews & Meta-Analyses

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Randomized Controlled Trials

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Cohort Studies

Max 72

Case-Control Studies

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Cross-Sectional Studies

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StrongerWeaker
Cohort Studies
Level 2
18

18 / 72

Evidence Score

Groups of people are followed over time to see who develops an outcome. Strong for identifying risk factors and associations, but cannot prove causation as firmly as RCTs.

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Publication

Authors

Newman TM, Shively CA, Register TC, Appt SE, Yadav H, Colwell RR, Fanelli B, Dadlani M, Graubics K, Nguyen UT, Ramamoorthy S, Uberseder B, Clear KYJ, Wilson AS, Reeves KD, Chappell MC, Tooze JA, Cook KL

Related Content

Claims (7)

In female cynomolgus macaques eating a Western diet, higher levels of the gut bacterium Prevotella copri are linked to increased levels of certain metabolites in urine and blood that are known to appear early in kidney stress, suggesting the gut microbiome may influence kidney function under high-fat diets.

18% pro
0% against

In female cynomolgus macaques, eating a Mediterranean diet is linked to higher levels of a gut bacterium called Lactobacillus animalis, and higher levels of this bacterium are linked to lower body fat, indicating it may reflect metabolic health in the context of a plant-rich diet.

18% pro
0% against

In female cynomolgus macaques, eating a Western diet for over two years is linked to higher levels of the gut bacterium Prevotella copri compared to a Mediterranean diet, and this change correlates with specific metabolic markers such as increased urinary carnitine metabolites and plasma allantoic acid.

18% pro
0% against

In female cynomolgus macaques eating a Western diet, lower levels of the bacterium Prevotella copri are linked to greater diversity in gut microbes and higher levels of Eubacterium siraeum, which in turn are associated with higher levels of HDL cholesterol in the blood.

18% pro
0% against

In female cynomolgus macaques, a Western diet is linked to lower gut microbial diversity than a Mediterranean diet. Within the Western diet group, animals with less Prevotella copri bacteria tend to have higher microbial diversity than those with more of this bacterium, suggesting that diet and bacterial levels together influence the overall microbial community.

18% pro
0% against