Gut Feeling or Brain Fog?
Obesity is often associated with poor attention, but the cause is unclear. In a study of 1,000 people, researchers found links between obesity, altered gut microbes, and worse attention. Higher levels of 3-hydroxyanthranilic acid (3-HAA), a gut-related metabolite, were linked with better attention. In animal models, restoring 3-HAA improved attention deficits. These findings suggest an important gut–brain pathway in obesity.
⚖️Could targeting gut microbes or 3-HAA help reduce brain fog in obesity?
🔎Check the paper "Gut microbial modulation of 3-hydroxyanthranilic acid and dopaminergic signalling influences attention in obesity" via
bit.ly/3Pzt1VY
Social Media summary by Dr Daniela Toumazi, CT2 Internal Medicine Trainee, Broomfield Hospital, Mid and South Essex NHS Trust, UK