The gut microbiota is increasingly recognized as a significant factor influencing the development of obesity and metabolic syndrome, not only through its role in digestion and nutrient metabolism, but also through its regulation of inflammation, intestinal barrier integrity, glucose and lipid metabolism, and hormonal signaling. The aim of this study was to present the current knowledge regarding the role of the gut microbiota in the pathophysiology of metabolic disorders, with particular emphasis on clinical data and the potential for therapeutic intervention on the microbiome. This study is a narrative review based on a systematic analysis of the literature. The full texts of 77 scientific publications from 2016–2026 were analyzed, of which 48 were included in the final synthesis. Studies on obesity, metabolic syndrome, dietary interventions, probiotics, prebiotics, synbiotics, fecal microbiota transplantation, and next-generation therapies were included. Available data indicate that dietary interventions, weight loss, increased fiber intake, and dietary strategies supporting microbiota diversity currently have the greatest practical significance. Probiotics, synbiotics, Akkermansia muciniphila, and fecal microbiota transplantation remain promising therapeutic approaches, but they still require further validation. The gut microbiota may in the future become a component of personalized treatment for metabolic disorders; however, its clinical application requires further research, standardization of methods, and identification of patient populations that may benefit the most.
Kowalczyk et al. (Tue,) studied this question.