Crosstalk Between Starch Hydrolysis and Oral-Gut Microbiota: Faecal Metabolomics and Inflammatory Biomarkers in Overweight and Obese Malaysians, with Ethnic-Specific Insights

This thesis explores how genetic differences and enzyme levels affect oral and gut microbes, potentially leading to intestinal inflammation—a key feature of obesity. It finds that individuals with higher body weight have lower levels of enzymes needed to break down starch into prebiotics that support a healthy gut. This disruption is linked to changes in gut microbes and higher levels of inflammation. Obesity is a growing health concern in Malaysia, and these findings may help develop more personalised strategies to prevent and manage obesity across its diverse communities.