Human metabolism and body composition: prospects for novel studies

André Pontes-Silva; André Luiz Lopes; Erika da Silva Maciel; Fernando Rodrigues Peixoto Quaresma; Almir Vieira Dibai-Filho

doi:10.1093/nutrit/nuad040

Human metabolism and body composition: prospects for novel studies

Nutr Rev. 2023 Dec 11;82(1):5-8. doi: 10.1093/nutrit/nuad040.

Authors

André Pontes-Silva¹, André Luiz Lopes², Erika da Silva Maciel³, Fernando Rodrigues Peixoto Quaresma³, Almir Vieira Dibai-Filho⁴

Affiliations

¹ is with the Physical Therapy Post-Graduate Program, Physical Therapy Department, Federal University of São Carlos, São Carlos, São Paulo, Brazil.
² is with the Human Movement Sciences Post-Graduate Program, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.
³ are with the Sciences and Health Teaching Post-Graduate Program, Federal University of Tocantins, Palmas, Tocantins, Brazil.
⁴ is with the Physical Education Post-Graduate Program, Physical Education Department, Federal University of Maranhão, São Luís, Maranhão, Brazil.

PMID: 38073333
DOI: 10.1093/nutrit/nuad040

Abstract

Context: Most articles on gut microbiota argue the importance of body composition assessment in patients; however, body composition assessments are fragile (ie, with methodological limitations) in the most recent studies.

Objective: To present two suggestions for further research using the human body composition assessment.

Methods: The methods used in this study are based on a Pinto et al article published in Nutrition Reviews.

Data extraction: On the basis of data.

obtained from the PubMed, SCOPUS, LILACS, and Web of Science databases, Pinto et al provided a current survey of intermittent fasting protocols and an understanding of the outcomes to date in terms of the profile of the intestinal microbiota in obese organisms.

Data analysis: Of the 82 original articles identified from the databases, 35 were eliminated because of duplication and 32 were excluded for not meeting the inclusion criteria. Two additional articles found in a new search were added, yielding a total of 17 studies to be included in this review. Among the protocols, alternate-day fasting and time-restricted feeding were the most common, and they were shown to have different mechanisms of metabolic signaling. Time-restricted feeding influences body mass control and biochemical parameters by regulating the circadian system and improving satiety control systems by acting on leptin secretion. In contrast, alternate-day fasting leads to a reduction of ±75% of all energy consumption regardless of dietary composition, in addition to promoting hormonal adjustments that promote body mass control. Furthermore, both protocols could remodel the intestinal microbiota by changing the Firmicutes to Bacteroidetes ratio and increasing the abundance of strains such as Lactobacillus spp. and Akkermansia that have a protective effect on metabolism against the effects of body mass gain.

Conclusion: Changes in adipose tissue (eg, body mass loss, control, gain) should be interpreted via the sum of skinfolds in absolute values, waist perimeter, and patients' body proportionality, because fat is just a fraction of the adipocyte (lipid).

Keywords: abdominal obesity; body fat percentage; body proportionality; sum of skinfolds; waist to stature ratio.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Adipose Tissue / metabolism
Body Composition*
Diet
Humans
Nutritional Status
Obesity* / etiology

Grants and funding

Coordination of Improvement of Higher Education Personnel