THE ROLE OF DIET IN GUT MICROBIOTA MODULATION AND ITS INFLUENCE ON OBESITY
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.64956/gm-unifacol.v2i1.18Keywords:
Diet, Microbiota, Obesity, Dysbiosis, MetabolismAbstract
Obesity is a multifactorial condition associated with metabolic and inflammatory dysfunctions, whose development has been increasingly linked to the composition and functionality of the gut microbiota. Recent literature shows that diet is a key modulator of this ecosystem, influencing metabolic, inflammatory, and hormonal pathways related to body fat accumulation. To critically review scientific evidence on the influence of diet on gut microbiota modulation and its relationship with obesity, highlighting pathophysiological mechanisms, therapeutic strategies, and intervention perspectives. An integrative literature review was conducted through a structured search in the PubMed, SciELO, ScienceDirect, and Scopus databases, considering studies published between 2004 and 2025. Original articles and reviews addressing the interaction between diet, gut microbiota, and obesity were included. After screening titles and abstracts, full texts were analyzed, excluding duplicates, studies focused solely on pharmacotherapy, and works without a clearly described methodology. The analyzed studies indicate that individuals with obesity often present gut dysbiosis, characterized by reduced microbial diversity and altered proportion between the phyla Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes. This imbalance promotes greater energy extraction from food, increased production of pro-inflammatory metabolites, and metabolic endotoxemia, contributing to insulin resistance and adipose tissue accumulation. Dietary strategies rich in fiber, prebiotics, probiotics, and bioactive compounds show potential to restore eubiosis, modulate inflammation, and improve metabolic parameters. However, methodological heterogeneity and population differences limit the generalization of findings, reinforcing the need for multicenter, long-term studies with methodological standardization. Nutritional modulation of the gut microbiota represents a promising and complementary approach in the management of obesity. Personalized interventions based on the individual microbial profile emerge as a strategic path to optimize clinical outcomes and prevent associated complications. Future research should prioritize the identification of robust microbial markers, the evaluation of long-term clinical outcomes, and the development of specific nutritional protocols that consider the ethnic, cultural, and genetic diversity of populations.
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