Indicators beyond height and weight Research into the underlying biological markers of metabolic health is providing revised estimates of disease risk.
A higher metabolic body mass index (MetBMI) is associated with weight gain, according to a new study led by scientists at the University of Gothenburg in Sweden. Type 2 diabetes risk and related terms.
Recently, BMI (body mass index) re-evaluated as rough measure of health. Calculating weight by height is easy, but it ignores an important factor Places where fat (adipose tissue) is stored and how efficiently metabolism converts food into fuel.
The research team says MetBMI may offer a more accurate method. Their analysis revealed the molecular signature of metabolic dysfunction, reflected in metabolites produced by gut bacteria during food digestion.
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“Our metBMI reveals hidden metabolic abnormalities that aren’t necessarily visible on the scale.” say says Rima Chakaroun, an endocrinologist at the University of Gothenburg.
“Two people with the same BMI can have completely different risk profiles depending on their metabolism and adipose tissue function.”
Researchers used health data to blood sample We built an algorithm to assess MetBMI from 1,408 participants, focusing on blood metabolites that indicate how well biological processes are functioning.
“Circulating metabolites formed by host genetics, diet, and gut microbiota can provide a system-level readout of metabolic health beyond excess body weight,” the researchers said. explain in their paper.
This MetBMI algorithm was then tested on a separate group of 466 people and proved to be able to accurately predict the amount and distribution of body weight and body fat. Moreover, it was a much better predictor than standard BMI in diabetic patients. fatty liver diseaseand other metabolic diseases.
People whose MetBMI was higher than expected for their weight were 2.6 times more likely to develop type 2 diabetes and up to five times more likely to develop diabetes. metabolic syndromea condition that is often considered a precursor to diabetes.
The discoveries didn’t stop there. The study also revealed a strong relationship between MetBMI and health. intestinal microbiota. Higher MetBMI scores were associated with lower bacterial community diversity and fewer microorganisms capable of breaking down dietary fiber.
“The metabolites that contribute significantly to the prediction of metBMI are actually regulated or produced by the gut microbiome, making it a kind of metabolic dial.” say Fredrik Behed, biomedical researcher at the University of Gothenburg.
This is because the factors that influence intestinal bacterialike diet and exerciseit may also improve metabolic indicators of health that cannot be obtained by measuring someone’s weight.
In a further analysis of 75 patients, bariatric surgerythose with higher MetBMI scores lost less weight after the procedure. This is another sign that metabolic health is an important component of health. weight management.
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Although MetBMI requires further validation before it can be widely used in clinical practice, these early results suggest that it may ultimately provide more accurate results. Reliable predictors of obesity-related diseases Risks beyond weighing.
“Traditional BMI often misses people who are of normal weight but at increased metabolic risk.” say Back head.
“MetBMI can contribute to a fairer and more accurate assessment of disease risk and pave the way for more personalized prevention and treatment.”
This study natural medicine.