Obesity and gut microbes
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Posted by Judy Arbique Dec 31, 2006 |
Dr. Jeffrey Gordon, Center for Genome Studies, Washington University found that the makeup of microbial populations in the guts of obese people differs from lean people. Microbial populations in the guts of obese people have higher numbers of fermicutes than bacteroidides. The fermicute bacteria are much more efficient at breaking down complex sugars increasing caloric intakes.
In further studies in mice, Dr. Gordon and his associates found that introduction of microbial communities from obese into lean mice increased production of adipose tissue by increasing the efficiency of caloric harvest from the diet. The discovery of differences in microbial populations between obese and lean people may influence therapy alternatives for obesity.
Dr. Gordon also suggested that caloric yields may be different from those indicated on product labels depending on the individual's microbial gut content.
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