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Eating Disorders and the Intestinal Microbiota: Mechanisms of Energy Homeostasis and Behavioral Influence

  • Eating Disorders (S Wonderlich and JM Lavender, Section Editors)
  • Published:
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Abstract

Purpose of Review

We reviewed and evaluated recently published scientific studies that explored the role of the intestinal microbiota in eating disorders.

Recent Findings

Studies have demonstrated that the intestinal microbiota is a contributing factor to both host energy homeostasis and behavior—two traits commonly disrupted in patients with eating disorders. To date, intestinal microbiota research in eating disorders has focused solely on anorexia nervosa (AN). Initial studies have reported an atypical intestinal microbial composition in patients with AN compared to healthy controls. However, the impact of these AN-associated microbial communities on host metabolism and behavior remains unknown.

Summary

The intriguing pattern of findings in patients with AN encourages further investigation of the intestinal microbiota in eating disorders. Elucidating the specific role(s) of these microbial communities may yield novel ideas for augmenting current clinical therapies to promote weight gain, decrease gastrointestinal distress, and even reduce psychological symptomatology.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Nutrition, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA

    Elaine M. Glenny, Cynthia M. Bulik & Ian M. Carroll

  2. Department of Medicine, Center for Gastrointestinal Biology and Disease, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA

    Emily C. Bulik-Sullivan, Quyen Tang & Ian M. Carroll

  3. Department of Psychiatry, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA

    Cynthia M. Bulik

  4. Department of Medical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden

    Cynthia M. Bulik

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  1. Elaine M. Glenny
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Correspondence to Ian M. Carroll.

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Ian M. Carroll reports a grant from National Institute of Mental Health (R01MH105684). Elaine M. Glenny, Emily C. Bulik-Sullivan, and Quyen Tang report that they are funded from this grant.

Cynthia M. Bulik reports a grant from National Institute of Mental Health (R01MH105684); a grant and personal fees from Shire; textbook royalties from Pearson; and royalties from Walker. Dr. Bulik also acknowledges funding from the Swedish Research Council (VR Dnr: 538-2013-8864).

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All reported studies/experiments with human or animal subjects performed by the authors have been previously published and complied with all applicable ethical standards (including the Helsinki declaration and its amendments, institutional/national research committee standards, and international/national/institutional guidelines).

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This article is part of the Topical Collection on Eating Disorders

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Glenny, E.M., Bulik-Sullivan, E.C., Tang, Q. et al. Eating Disorders and the Intestinal Microbiota: Mechanisms of Energy Homeostasis and Behavioral Influence. Curr Psychiatry Rep 19, 51 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11920-017-0797-3

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