Your small and large intestines are home to countless microbes that some scientists think may play a role in determining how fat or skinny you are.
Comment: Good article. Perhaps this information will move obesity from a moral issue to a biological issue and overweight people will no longer suffer the judgment of their thinner neighbors who see themselves as morally superior, when in reality, they're just biologically lucky.
Comment: its really great to read the issue about gut microbes. can u tell me how do i put on weight
Comment: what should i do to gain a little bit weight
Comment: Interesting article and study. As a followup, eventually using statistically significant population samples, it would be interesting to see if the bacteria fingerprints are altered by the currently acceptable levels of pesticide and fungicide residues found in many foodproducts. These studies could eventually include prevalent residue combinations rather then single chemicals. A simple safe starting point to demonstrate cause and effect might be with an acid rich diet like chilli peppers.
Comment: I found this study of bacteria fascinating, especially the results that show "less efficient" bacteria gain the upper hand when a person loses weight. I presume this is because the bacteria that waste energy (by making it available to their host) do a better job of using it themselves and reproduce in a competitive environment. If this is so, then the mechanism by which an obese persons body rewards "more efficient" producers will be key to fighting malnutrition.
Comment: Great article... I imagine a bell curve where the peak represents 'normal' weight and is stable. According to the article, any weight gain or loss causes the gut microbiota to change IN FAVOR of the change in weight - a positive feedback - that enhances the weight gain or loss. As mentioned, this does not make evolutionary sense, suggesting possible behavioral changes that affect gut flora to counter the weight change... or not!
Comment: So does that mean if we periodically do a cleanse, we can change the type of microbes in our gut to help our bodies be more efficient?? I have Celiac disease and am very much compromised as far as the gut is concerned.............Karen
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CAMPAIGN 2008 John McCain's choice to manage the GOP convention this summer is lobbyist Doug Goodyear, whose firm once represented Burma's repressive regime.
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