Eating disorders and the intestinal microbiota: Mechanisms of energy homeostasis and behavioral influence

We reviewed and evaluated recently published scientific studies that explored the role of the intestinal microbiota in eating disorders. Studies have demonstrated that the intestinal microbiota is a contributing factor to both host energy homeostasis and behavior—two traits commonly disrupted in patients with eating disorders. To date, intestinal microbiota research in eating disorders has focused solely on anorexia nervosa (AN). Initial studies have reported an atypical intestinal microbial composition in patients with AN compared to healthy controls. However, the impact of these AN-associated microbial communities on host metabolism and behavior remains unknown. The intriguing pattern of findings in patients with AN encourages further investigation of the intestinal microbiota in eating disorders. Elucidating the specific role(s) of these microbial communities may yield novel ideas for augmenting current clinical therapies to promote weight gain, decrease gastrointestinal distress, and even reduce psychological symptomatology.