This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies. Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Biological clocks are often associated with light. Historically, most people started their days when the sun was up and ended their days when the sun set.
But new research from Carnegie Mellon University suggests that some of the body's most important timekeepers live in the gut. A study led by Zheng Kuang, the Eberly Family associate professor in the Department of Biological Sciences, showed that gut bacteria can detect when people eat and send signals that help intestinal cells absorb nutrients at the right time of day. The findings reveal a previously unknown link between the microbiome, circadian rhythms and metabolism.
"These bacteria don't have access to light," Kuang said. "Instead, they use food as a signal to tell time. When we eat, they produce molecules that communicate with our intestinal cells and help coordinate nutrient absorption." The research addresses a long-standing question in microbiome science about how bacteria influence the body's daily rhythms, affecting overall health.
The researchers discovered that the strain of bacteria they were working with metabolizes phytate, a naturally occurring compound found in foods such as nuts, seeds and grains. As they break down phytate, the bacteria produce molecules that activate a protein in intestinal cells, which then switches on genes responsible for nutrient absorption. The bacteria help the body know that food is present and that it is time to make the most of it.
"These bacteria evolved alongside humans over millions of years," Kuang said. "When food was available, it was beneficial to absorb as many nutrients as possible." The study also offers a new perspective on problems people face today, like obesity. Using mouse models, the researchers found that bacteria capable of activating this pathway promoted fat accumulation when animals consumed high-calorie diets.
At first glance, that might seem harmful. But Kuang argues that the system helped humans survive when food was scarce. For most of human history, obtaining enough calories was a challenge.
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