Summary:
Recently, a few studies have shown that the bacteria levels in the intestines play a role in a humans ability to lose or gain weight. Many people lose weight by gastric bypasses, which shrink the stomach, and now are thought to have an impact on bacteria which has partial control on weight gain. This research will hope to contribute to weight loss without surgery by rearranging and removing certain microbes. Also, microbes control other things in the intestines which can get rid of illness. the study also showed that people who have air content high in the microbe Methanobrevibacter smithii are more likely to be overweight. They are still trying to figure out which microbe specifically causes weight gain.
Relevance:During this term, we have learned about the human body and the many different systems. We learned that in the digestive system, microbes are in the intestines in order to break down fats and sugars and to keep diseases out. This article shows that specific microbes have the genetic disposition for weight gain.
Link: http://www.nytimes.com/2013/03/28/health/studies-focus-on-gut-bacteria-in-weight-loss.html?ref=digestivetract
Would having a higher or lower level of bacteria in the intestine help lose weight?
ReplyDeleteIf a certain bacteria is found to contribute to weight-gain, what could one do to get rid of this bacteria or stop the weight gain?
ReplyDeleteJennifer- A lower level of bacteria seems to point toward weight loss.
ReplyDeleteSarah- Right now, they are still developing this theory, but it seems as though certain drugs or surgery could remove it.