By Andrea McBeth, ND
This month, we’re diving into something that’s both cool and cutting-edge: how AI is transforming our understanding of science. Specifically, I’ve been playing around with some fun tools that make complex research more accessible. One of my new favorites is NotebookLM—a tool that auto-generates a podcast-style conversation between two people about whatever topic you throw into it. It’s surprisingly good at breaking down tricky research articles, especially when it comes to the microbiome.
This month, we’re focusing on how our microbiome influences things like satiety and food cravings through our EEC cells. The AI-generated conversation does a fantastic job of bringing these topics to life, and it got me thinking about the broader conversations we’re excited to have at Thaena about the microbiome, motility, and the interplay between gut health and our daily lives.
We’re seeing a lot of interest in how the microbiome affects weight, cravings, and even mental well-being—and it’s not just a matter of “willpower.” Medications like GLP-1 agonists (Ozempic and MOnjaro) and probiotics like Akkermansia, which can stimulate GLP-1, are really reshaping our understanding of metabolism and weight management. It’s becoming clear that our microbiome plays a key role in brain signaling, impacting how intensely we experience cravings and our overall sense of satiety - being full or hungry.
To explore this further, I’m sharing this super interesting papers, linked below, along with a podcast generated by my new favorite duo: AI Bot One and Two—let’s call them Jordan and Sam. They break down the role the microbiome plays in an engaging and easy-to-understand way.
I hope you enjoy these resources as much as I do, and that it sparks some new thoughts about the incredible ways we’re learning to understand the microbiome and its impact on our health.
Podcast
Gut Bacteria and Cravings: Are We Really in Control?
Notebook LM generated based on the research article: Gut microbiota regulate maturation and mitochondrial function of the nutrient-sensing enteroendocrine cell. Alsudayri, A., Perelman, S., Brewer, M., Chura, A., McDevitt, M., Drerup, C., & Ye, L. (2024). Development (Cambridge, England), 151(8). https://doi.org/10.1242/dev.202544
Transcript
Ever get hit with a craving, you know, like out of nowhere, say, for a big plate of fries, and you think, why am I suddenly starving for that? This happens to the best of us. Well, what if I told you it might not just be your taste buds calling the shots? It's true. Today, we're diving deep into how the bacteria in your gut—yeah, you heard that right, bacteria—could be pulling the strings on your food choices. We're talking cutting-edge science here, folks, where researchers are actually watching these interactions happen in real time. It's incredible.
How Our Gut Bacteria Influence Cravings
Oh, absolutely. It really highlights how much is going on in our gut, way beyond just simple digestion. It's like this whole communication network we're just starting to understand—a network where our gut bacteria are, what, like the star players? Exactly. And this paper we're looking at today zeros in on these things called enteroendocrine cells, or EECS for short, which are these tiny sensor cells lining your intestines.
So they're like tasting our food for us down there in the depths? In a way, yeah. Think of your gut like, hmm, high-security border patrol. Okay, I'm picturing it. Those EECS are the guards sampling everything that comes through—that delicious burger, that salad you're trying to be healthy with—letting the brain know what's up, right? Sending out signals. But instead of words, it's hormones, those chemical messengers: "Hey, we need fuel!" or "Okay, we're full, stand down"—that sort of thing. And this research found that the bacteria in our gut can actually change how these EECS, these little guards, do their job.
The Role of Bacteria in EEC Development
That's the wild part. They used zebrafish for this study. Might seem odd, but their digestive systems are surprisingly similar to ours. Zebrafish? Yeah. And the cool thing is, they're transparent, so scientists get a front-row seat to the gut in action—a live microscopic window.
So what did they see? What happens to these EECS? Well, first, they compared zebrafish with a typical microbiome—all the usual bacteria—to those raised in a completely germ-free environment. So one group's got a whole zoo in their gut. The others? What, sterile? Exactly. And the differences in their EEC development were shocking.
No way. Just from having different bacteria? But how do these EECS even develop normally? So, they go through this whole transformation, kind of like—imagine a caterpillar turning into a butterfly. Okay. Dramatic, I like it. At first, the EECS are kind of all over the place. They have these little arms reaching out like they're searching for something.
Yeah, filopodia, they're called. But "searching arms" paints a funnier picture, don't you think? Way funnier. So what happens to those arms as the cells mature? The zebrafish without gut bacteria—those searching arms—they just kind of stuck around like they were lost without a map. Poor little guys. But the ones with a normal microbiome? Total makeover time. They became way more structured, organized, and much more efficient at their job, sensing the food and all—like the bacteria gave them a crash course in how to EEC.
The Bacteria's Influence on Our Cravings
So, the bacteria are like the cool upperclassmen showing the new EEC freshmen the ropes. That's a great way to put it. And here's where it gets even cooler: the type of bacteria mattered too. Some combos led to more of certain kinds of EECS, which could explain why you crave a burger while your friend goes for the donuts.
Hold on, you're telling me there's like a "sweet tooth EEC" or "give me salty snacks EEC"? That's what this research suggests. Some are better at detecting fats, others sugars, and so on. So the types of bacteria in your gut actually shape which sensor cells you have more of. It's mind-blowing.
That's wild. It's like they're controlling us from within. But how are they even talking to the EECS? Sending tiny texts? "Yo, EEC, time to level up"? It's not that different, actually. Bacteria release all sorts of molecules just as part of their normal living—their bacterial waste.
Well, not exactly waste, but you get the idea. These molecules act like messages, interacting with the EECS and causing changes within them. So basically, a secret language our cells can understand.
Mitochondria and the Power of Cravings
How do these messages actually turn into those intense cravings we feel? That, my friend, is where things get even more interesting. Remember mitochondria, those tiny power plants inside our cells? Oh yeah, from way back in biology class. What do those have to do with anything? Turns out, EECS are absolutely packed with mitochondria—way more than other gut cells. And as they mature, the researchers noticed something really cool. The mitochondria, which were kind of scattered throughout the cell at first, yeah, they started to cluster together, almost like—like a mitochondrial flash mob.
Where were they going? Right to the source of the action. They all clustered near the base of the EEC, which is where those hormone signals get sent out to the brain. It's like they knew exactly where to set up shop for maximum impact.
Okay, so we've got these mitochondrial party barges all crowding around the EEC's signal tower. But how is that actually working? It's not like they're hooking up jumper cables or something. Not quite. But remember, mitochondria's whole deal is energy, right? Fueling the cell. And get this: this mitochondrial hotspot was way more prominent in the EECS that had been exposed to bacteria.
So it's like the bacteria are saying, "All right, team, huddle up. We've got important messages to send. We need all the power we can get." That's a great way to put it. The bacteria are basically giving those mitochondria an energy drink so they can pump out even stronger signals to the brain. Stronger signal, stronger message, stronger craving.
The Gut-Brain Signal Pathway
Okay, now that explains why I can't resist those nachos sometimes. But hold on—how does a plate of nachos, or anything we eat, actually become a brain signal? What's the play-by-play here? Okay, so picture this: you take a bite of those cheesy, delicious nachos. Oh yeah, I'm with you. And as those cheesy, salty molecules hit your gut, those supercharged EECS—mitochondria all fueled up and ready—they spring into action. It's like "Flavor alert! All sensors online!" Exactly.
Their internal alarms go off, and scientists actually see this as a spike in something called cytoplasmic calcium levels. Cytoplasmic—say that again. It sounds kind of complicated. It's just their way of saying, "Hey, something's happening here. We need backup!" Okay, so the EECS taste the food, alarms are blaring, and then mitochondria kick it into overdrive. That calcium signal is like their cue to start pumping out even more energy, which then fuels the production of those chemical messengers—the hormones that shoot up to the brain.
So, more energy, stronger message, more intense craving. It all makes sense now. But it makes you wonder—if our gut bacteria have so much control, could we actually change them to, I don't know, make us crave healthier stuff? It's almost like, instead of fighting those cravings, what if we could work with our gut bacteria to crave healthier foods?
Can We Reprogram Our Cravings?
Could we actually reprogram our gut to prefer broccoli over brownies? Now you're thinking like a scientist. That's one of the most exciting frontiers of this research—the potential to actually change our cravings by changing our gut microbiome. So instead of relying on willpower, which, let's face it, doesn't always work out so well—especially when those nachos are calling your name—exactly, we could potentially create a world where healthy eating is actually easier because our own bodies are working with us, not against us. It's like having an army of microscopic health coaches cheering us on.
And there's already some promising research in this area. Studies have shown that certain probiotics—which are basically supplements of beneficial bacteria—can actually influence food cravings and even weight management. So we could potentially pop a probiotic pill and suddenly find ourselves craving salads and smoothies?
It might not be quite that simple, but you're on the right track. The key is understanding the intricate interplay between different strains of bacteria and how they influence those all-important EEC signals. It's like piecing together a complex puzzle.
The Bigger Picture
It makes you wonder—what other secrets are hiding within our gut microbiome? What if this is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to understanding how our gut bacteria influence our health, our moods, even our behavior? It's a humbling thought, isn't it? We tend to think of ourselves as individuals, but the reality is we're walking ecosystems, home to trillions of tiny organisms that play a role in shaping who we are.
It's both amazing and a little bit unsettling at the same time. But one thing's for sure—this research definitely changes how we think about those everyday cravings. It's not just about willpower or giving in to temptation. It's about understanding the powerful influence of the tiny but mighty world living inside us all—exactly, and recognizing that we have the power to influence that world through the choices we make, whether it's the foods we eat, the probiotics we take, or even the way we manage stress, which can also impact our gut bacteria.
So the next time you're facing down a plate of cookies, remember those tiny cells in your gut working tirelessly to send messages to your brain. And who knows—maybe, with a little understanding and a little help from our microscopic friends, we can all start craving a healthier, happier us. Now that's a craving worth having.