Obesity is a growing problem worldwide,with the United States having one of the highest levels of obesity in the world.Low-grade chronic inflammation,often caused by the dysfunction of white blood cells called monocytes,increases the risk of many health conditions in people with obesity.A small-scale study has found that some dietary interventions can enhance the function of mitochondria in monocytes,reduce inflammation,and modify gut bacteria.Further research is needed to assess whether these findings may help in the treatment of obesity.

　　Global Obesity Trends

　　According to the World Health Organization(WHO),worldwide obesity rates have more than doubled over the past 30 years.Globally,16%of adults are now living with obesity.Formerly an issue in only high-income countries,such as the United States,where more than 40%of adults have obesity,it is now prevalent in middle-income countries as well.Current guidelines define obesity as having a body mass index(BMI)—a measure of body fat based on height and weight—of more than 30.

　　The Link Between Obesity and Inflammation

　　Obesity is linked to several health conditions,including type 2 diabetes,high blood pressure,heart disease,and some cancers.Chronic low-grade inflammation is a feature of obesity,and research has found that monocytes—a type of white blood cell that plays a key role in immune responses—are a cause of this inflammation.Now,a small-scale clinical trial in Mexico has found that some diets can improve the energy use of these monocytes,leading to increased weight loss.The study is published in Clinical Nutrition.

　　Study Overview

　　The 44 participants who completed the study were aged between 18 and 60 years,with a BMI of 30 to 50 kilograms per square meter(kg/m2).None had any chronic diseases or mental health conditions.The researchers divided them into four treatment groups,each of which followed a different diet for two months:

　　•Group 1:Calorie-restricted diet(500 kcal less than their normal diet)

　　•Group 2:Calorie-restricted diet with an intermittent fasting pattern of 16 hours fasting to 8 hours eating

　　•Group 3:Ketogenic diet with the same calorie restriction

　　•Group 4:Normal“ad libitum”diet

　　At four follow-up visits,the participants gave fasting blood samples for analysis,were weighed,and had their body composition analyzed.The researchers isolated monocytes from the samples to assess their mitochondrial function and analyzed gut microbiota from stool samples.

　　Findings:Diet Affects Mitochondrial Function

　　The study found that monocytes from people on the calorie-restricted,intermittent fasting,and ketogenic diets had significantly increased mitochondrial function.The diets also had a positive impact on gut bacteria.Eamon Laird,PhD,an assistant lecturer in nutrition at ATU Sligo,Ireland,who was not involved in the study,noted that these findings are interesting but need to be verified through further research.

　　Expert Insights

　　Kelsey Costa,MS,RDN,a registered dietitian nutritionist and founder of Dietitian Insights,explained the importance of mitochondria.“Mitochondrial bioenergetic health refers to the efficiency and functioning of mitochondria,the powerhouses of cells responsible for producing energy,”she said.Dysfunctional mitochondria may contribute to health issues such as insulin resistance,inflammation,and other metabolic disorders.

　　Real-World Application and Further Research

　　Laird emphasized that additional research is needed to verify these findings.He pointed out that the study’s population group was very specific,as participants had to be free of any other chronic diseases or conditions.To ascertain clinical significance,he suggested replicating the study with more participants,including a balanced ratio of males and females,older adults,and obese adults with various conditions.

　　Health Benefits

　　Despite being a short-term,small-scale study,participants showed some health benefits,which suggest that the interventions are worth exploring further.In addition to improved mitochondrial function,those on the restrictive diets lost weight and visceral fat—the fat that collects inside the abdomen and can cause health issues—compared with those on their normal diets.They also had an increase in the diversity of their gut microbiota,a change that may help combat obesity.

　　Conclusion

　　This study highlights the potential of dietary changes to enhance mitochondrial function and reduce inflammation in people with obesity.While the findings are promising,further research is needed to confirm these results and understand their long-term implications.By exploring different dietary interventions,we can better understand how to treat and manage obesity,ultimately improving health outcomes for those affected by this growing issue.