Dietary Supplementation with Amaranth Protein Isolate Modulates the Gut Microbiota in Children with Overweight and Obesity: A Nonrandomized Trial.

Amaranth protein supplementation for 90 days tended to decrease cholesterol and triglyceride levels in children with overweight and obesity.

• Children aged 8-10 years were allocated into three groups: normal weight (NW), overweight (OW), and obesity (OB) based on BMI
• Supplementation duration was 90 days
• No changes in fasting blood glucose levels were observed across groups and treatments
• Cholesterol and triglycerides levels 'tended to decrease' after AmProt supplementation

HOMA-IR values increased in relation to BMI but showed no changes after amaranth protein treatment.

• HOMA-IR was evaluated before and after dietary supplementation with amaranth protein isolate
• HOMA-IR increased proportionally with increasing BMI category
• No changes in HOMA-IR were observed after 90 days of AmProt supplementation
• Adiponectin/leptin ratio was also evaluated as part of metabolic assessment

Firmicutes were the dominant phylum in the gut microbiota across all BMI groups.

• Firmicutes were 'highly abundant in all groups' regardless of BMI category
• This was observed in normal weight, overweight, and obese children
• Feces were collected and metagenome analysis was carried out to assess microbiota composition

Lower abundance of Ruminococcus was observed in overweight and obese children compared to normal weight children.

• Reduced Ruminococcus abundance was detected in both the OW and OB groups
• This difference was observed relative to the normal weight group
• Ruminococcus is a genus within the Firmicutes phylum associated with gut health

In the overweight group, Blautia, Butyricicoccus, and Roseburia were observed in increased abundance.

• These three genera showed increased abundance specifically in the OW group
• All three genera are members of the Firmicutes phylum
• This finding was distinct from patterns observed in the normal weight and obese groups

Amaranth protein consumption tended to increase the abundance of Coprococcus, Prevotella, and Collinsella across all BMI groups.

• The increase in these three genera was observed 'in all groups' after AmProt supplementation
• This effect was seen regardless of BMI category (NW, OW, and OB)
• These microbiota changes were noted as potentially related to improvements in lipid metabolism
• The paper notes the authors used the spelling 'Coproccus' in the abstract, likely referring to Coprococcus

The study was a nonrandomized trial involving children aged 8-10 years examining the effects of amaranth protein isolate on gut microbiota and metabolic markers.

• Participants were children aged 8-10 years
• Groups were allocated by BMI into normal weight (NW), overweight (OW), and obesity (OB) categories
• The study design was nonrandomized
• Serum levels of fasting blood glucose, cholesterol, triglycerides, and insulin were analyzed before and after supplementation
• Metagenome analysis of fecal samples was performed to assess gut microbiota composition

No prior studies had examined the effects of amaranth protein on modulation of children's gut microbiota before this trial.

• The authors stated 'no studies have examined its effects on the modulation of children's gut microbiota'
• Amaranth protein is noted to have 'several health benefits' based on prior literature
• Overweight and obesity are described as resulting from 'complex interactions including genetics, environment, eating behaviors, and limited access to a healthy diet'