How Gut And Brain Control Metabolism

Obesity is an epidemic problem not limited to Western society, but also in emerging industrial nations with large populations, especially in Asia. The connection between the gut and the brain is probably one of the most promising therapeutic targets for the treatment of obesity and metabolic syndrome. This book brings together reviews on the current understanding of how the gut and brain communicate in the regulation of metabolism. Individual chapters explore novel aspects of this interaction. A comprehensive update on the roles of smell and taste, the gut microbiome, and novel gut-derived neuropeptides in regulating metabolism via the brain is offered. Furthermore, the regulation of insulin sensitivity in the brain is discussed in detail. Providing an overview of the most recent findings, 'How Gut and Brain Control Metabolism' could spark in the reader new ideas or approaches, thus leading to much-needed new medical treatments. Physicians with an involvement in the treatment of metabolic disease and scientists performing research in the fields of nutrition and obesity will find this book a valuable addition to their bookshelves.

Gastrointestinal (GI) physiology is a fundamental subject that is indispensable not only for undergraduate but also for graduate courses. The audience include, but are not limited to, medical, pharmacy, nursing, human biology, Chinese medicine, and science students, as well as other health-related subject students. The overall objectives of this textbook are to present basic concepts and principles of GI physiology and, more importantly, to convey an understanding of how to apply this knowledge to abnormal GI physiology in the clinical context. As such, the basic knowledge of GI physiology and its application in the form of clinical case studies should be grasped, which are critical for professional examinations and bedside, as well as for general practice in the future. In this handbook, we aim to achieve these elements by covering the breadth of GI, pancreatic, hepatobiliary, and nutritional physiology. Moreover, we include relevant scenario-based clinical case in each chapter so as to evaluate whether the students can apply the basic GI they learn to the clinical setting.

On July 9-10, 2014, the Institute of Medicine's Food Forum hosted a public workshop to explore emerging and rapidly developing research on relationships among the brain, the digestive system, and eating behavior. Drawing on expertise from the fields of nutrition and food science, animal and human physiology and behavior, and psychology and psychiatry as well as related fields, the purpose of the workshop was to (1) review current knowledge on the relationship between the brain and eating behavior, explore the interaction between the brain and the digestive system, and consider what is known about the brain's role in eating patterns and consumer choice; (2) evaluate current methods used to determine the impact of food on brain activity and eating behavior; and (3) identify gaps in knowledge and articulate a theoretical framework for future research. Relationships among the Brain, the Digestive System, and Eating Behavior summarizes the presentations and discussion of the workshop.

The Endocannabinoidome: The World of Endocannabinoids and Related Mediators is dedicated to the latest research and studies on endocannabinoids and cannabinoid receptors to illustrate their important role in the discovery of new, endocannabinoid-related, lipid mediators. Written by leading experts across different disciplines, this book focuses on the biochemical and anlayticial aspects of novel lipid signals, their pharmacological activities and their potential utilization for the development of new and effective therapeutic strategies. The first book of its kind, The Endocannabinoidome is a meaningful reference for all those involved in experimental efforts to further the development of this field. Explores the novel and exciting aspects of several endocannabinoid-like molecules for which researchers are still seeking a function Discusses the novel metabolic pathways for endocannabinoids in order to explain the failure of some clinical trials with inhibitors of more conventional metabolic pathways Incorporates pharmacology, biochemistry and potential clinical applications to provide researchers with a complete look at endocannabinoids

The Gut-Brain Axis: Dietary, Probiotic, and Prebiotic Interventions on the Microbiota, Second Edition presents the most advances on how the gut microbiome influences central nervous system and brain function introduced in the first edition. The book also describes how environmental influences which affect the microbiota, including, diet, exercise, and early-life, impact on the gut-brain axis. The second edition contains new chapters on metabolomics and the gut-brain-axis; dietary factors in the maintenance of a healthy brain ; the role of gut microbes in neurodegenerative disorders; the link between exercise and the gut-brain-axis; and infant Nutrition, the microbiome and neurodevelopment. In addition, the second edition presents coverage of mechanisms underlying neurological disease; approaches to investigate the role of the microbiome in brain and behavior, and 'next generation' probiotics and prebiotics. The Gut-Brain Axis: Dietary, Probiotic, and Prebiotic Interventions on the Microbiota, Second Edition continues to be the “go-to resource for further exploration of the microbiota. Includes new chapters focused on metabolomics and the gut-brain axis; dietary polyphenols to maintain healthier brain measures and cognitive function; the role of gut microbes in Parkinson’s Disease; the microbiota-gut-brain axis in psychosis; exploration of exercise and the gut-brain axis; and coverage of pediatric nutrition Updated chapters reflect on the most recent advances on the role of the microbiome and gut-brain axis in early-life, aging, cognition, metabolism, neurodevelopmental disorders, as well as on the enteric nervous system Addresses the role of diet and the gut-brain axis across several chapters with unique author insights and perspectives Examines common mechanisms and pathways by which the microbiota may influence brain and behavior Discusses strategies to explore the contribution of the microbiome to the gut-brain axis; methods to enhance therapeutic strategies targeted toward the microbiota; and presents a case study demonstrating a rational screening approach to increase translational success

The fact that about 30-40% of the adults in the Western world are overweight or obese testifies to the frequency of the disturbances in body weight regulation. Scientists have established that caloric intake, macronutrient composition of the diet, basal and resting metabolic rate, thermic response to food, energy expenditure associated with movement and physical activity, and preferential storage of the surplus of calories as fat or lean tissues are critical determinants of energy balance and body weight. While much has been learned, the field is poised for major advances with the advent of a variety of imaging techniques, progress in quantitative and molecular genetics, use of transgenic rodent models and of breeding experiments with informative inbred strains, availability of stable isotopes for metabolic and behavioral studies, and a growing number of useful experimental animal and human models. This volume takes an integrative approach to obesity. It is structured around four major topics: (1) the animal and human models currently available for the study of body weight regulation with their strengths and limitations, (2) the molecular and genetic basis of the regulation of body weight, (3) the metabolic and physiological mechanisms involved, and (4) the behavioral and social determinants. The 13 background papers provide a critical overview of the present knowledge base while the group reports summarize the extensive deliberations of 38 international experts. Particular emphasis has been given to promising research areas and on the advances needed to ensure a better understanding of the biological and behavioral mechanisms of the regulation of body weight, with a particular emphasis on overweight and obesity.