Using Bacteria to Lose Weight

A study at the ‘University of Arizona’ and the ‘Mayo Clinic’ have found that their research of nine individuals intestinal microbes has various effect, and some are the key to tackle growing obesity epidemic in the U.S.

From the nine test subject, three are normal weight, three are morbidly obese and the last three just underwent gastric-bypass surgery.

It is found from the study that each of the three groups had different intestinal microbes.

For morbidly obese individuals, their intestinal microbes tend to promote fat-storage process.

It seems the gastric-bypass group tend to have the same similar process as morbidly obese individuals, but somehow they developed intestinal microbes that counters the excessive weight gain. They end up having a gut similar to the normal weight individuals intestinal microbes after their surgery.

The preliminary study are indicating that each individual has the varying ability to extract energy and store fat from food changes. These varying actions within the guts depends on intestinal microbes.

Of course, this intestinal microbes are not bacteria to be confused with probiotic popularly found in yogurts. Scientists have found no claims that probiotic helps in weight loss, other than relieve a range of disorders from diarrhea to irritable bowel syndrome.

More studies are being planned to observe and record more findings on the composition of one’s gut flora changes, the cause, effect and link between intestinal microbes and weight loss.

The objective hopefully is to manipulate such intestinal microbes for future weight loss on obese individuals.