Could gut bacteria affect diabetes treatments?

Researchers are uncovering ways that specific bacteria in the gut might one day be used to help fight Type 2 diabetes.

Gastroenterologist Dr. Leon Maratchi with Memorial Healthcare and Gastro Health said a recent study found that after feeding rodents a western diet, they identified bacteria in the gut associated with glucose intolerance, which is linked to diabetes and fatty liver disease.

ā€œAnd what they found was replacing those bacteria associated with diabetes and fatty liver, they were able to change the course of those problems in the animals,ā€ Maratchi said.

Maratchi said this could result in a cutting-edge approach to treating diabetes without pharmaceutical medications.

ā€œAnd we can treat diabetes in the future with natural probiotics directly targeted to the liver to help with glucose metabolism, obesity and things of that nature,ā€ he said.


About the Authors:

Veteran journalist Kathleen Corso is the special projects producer for Local 10 News.

Kristi Krueger has built a solid reputation as an award-winning medical reporter and effervescent anchor. She joined Local 10 in August 1993. After many years co-anchoring the 6 p.m. and 11 p.m., Kristi now co-anchors the noon newscasts, giving her more time in the evening with her family.