HONOLULU — A study of more than 500 Hawaii residents has uncovered potential links between intestinal bacteria and disproportionately higher rates of diabetes, obesity, poor glycemic control and low self-esteem among Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders.
What You Need To Know
The study was conducted by researchers from the University of Hawaii at Manoa’s John A. Burns School of Medicine and the University of Hawaii Economic Research Organization and published in the journal Frontiers
The interdisciplinary team identified key differences in the numbers and types of intestinal bacteria strains in NHPI participants that track with age, type 2 diabetes status, body mass index and self-esteem
The team found a novel interaction between self-esteem and a bacteria known as Veillonellaceae. High levels of the bacteria corresponded to higher self-esteem, while abnormally low levels corresponded to lower self-esteem, a risk factor for depression
A significantly higher diversity of gut microbes was found in obese and diabetic individuals of NPHI ancestry compared to other ethnic groups reported in other studies
The study was conducted by researchers from the University of Hawaii at Manoa’s John A. Burns School of Medicine and the University of Hawaii Economic Research Organization and published in the journal Frontiers.
