CMU Researchers Find Gut Bacteria Signals When to Absorb Nutrients
Zheng Kuang, Carnegie Melon University (CMU) Department of Biological Sciences Eberly Family Associate Professor, suggests that sun and light do not signal the time of day as much as gut bacteria sends signals to tell intestinal cells to absorb nutrients at the right time of day (October 22 2026 CMU report). He found a key link between our gut microbiome, metabolism and our circadian rhythm.
CMU researchers found the bacteria Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron metabolizes phytate, “a naturally occurring compound found in foods such as nuts, seeds and grains”, plays a role.
Kiang believes bacteria used in the study can be used to address malnutrition, as the bacteria may appear in lower levels in undernourished children versus healthy children.
