Obesity and gut flora: a surprising link

foobar · 02-14-2007, 03:45 PM

The intestinal bacteria in obese humans and mice differ from those in lean individuals. Are these bacteria
involved in how we regulate body weight, and are they a factor in the obesity epidemic?

The answer is yes, see the full article (a Nature News and Views feature in fact) here:

http://www.bpc.mh-hannover.de/manste...lora_Nat06.pdf

ThePitBull32 · 02-14-2007, 06:41 PM

Nice post...its good to see a scientific journal linked here. That is really interesting how the obese mice were able to extract extra calories from their food!

Chest Rockwell · 02-14-2007, 06:56 PM

good read, people don't realize how important mirco flora are to our health. On a side, just read "the fat flush plan" a great book, and it stresses the importance of liver detoxification and fat loss. Anyone wanting to burn fat should first flush the liver (milk thistle, dandelion, etc) so as to allow fat molecule to be freed up. A dirty liver leads to high levels of cellulite and can make the fat buring process very inefficient.

Girljock · 02-14-2007, 07:27 PM

actually....the atkins people have been onto this for awhile. it's one reason they stress organic apple cider vinegar needs to be in the diet....it's got the bugs in there... The balance of flora (to me means yeast..although I didn't see that in the article) is quite important and can be the cuplrit in a lot of health issues.

foobar · 02-14-2007, 09:20 PM

What is strange is that the bacteria that are more numerous in obese individuals include Lactobacillus, used in yougurt cultures, and yougurt is supposed to help in weight loss.

supersudo · 02-14-2007, 09:20 PM

probiotics!!.. acidophilus!

foobar · 02-14-2007, 09:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by supersudo

probiotics!!.. acidophilus!

Actually, lactobacillus acidophilus is from the group of bacteria that are more numerous in the obese, so it is not that simple.

supersudo · 02-15-2007, 02:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by foobar

Actually, lactobacillus acidophilus is from the group of bacteria that are more numerous in the obese, so it is not that simple.

what about bifidus?

it's good to have multiple strains

Chad Hamilton · 02-15-2007, 07:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by foobar

Actually, lactobacillus acidophilus is from the group of bacteria that are more numerous in the obese, so it is not that simple.

I think he may have been using the term "acidophilus" for the numerous individuals that may not know what a probiotic is.
They at least might know the term "acidophilus".