Diversity Of Gut Bacteria Could Be Factor In Obesity Risk.
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Interesting
Diversity Of Gut Bacteria Could Be Factor In Obesity Risk.
In its “Shots” blog NPR 
(8/29, Stein) reports a study published in the journal Nature has found that the diversity of the bacteria in a person’s gut can play a role in determining if they will “gain weight, become obese and develop risk factors for serious health problems.” The study analyzed the microbes in the guts of 292 participants, 169 of whom were obese and 123 of whom were lean. The researchers found the lean participants “had higher microbial diversity than the obese,” and the obese participants with lower bacterial diversity had a greater likelihood of weight gain over time.


The Huffington Post 
(8/28) adds that the researchers also found that the makeup of gut bacteria in obese people “may be provoking mild inflammation,” that could increase the risk for developing chronic conditions including heart disease and diabetes.


HealthDay 
(8/29, Dotinga) notes that a second study published in the same issue of Nature involved the analysis of gut bacteria in 49 obese and overweight participants trying to lose weight on “diets that were low-fat and low-calorie but high in protein plus fiber-rich foods like vegetables and fruits.” According to the researchers, “the diet appeared to actually change the bacterial makeup in the guts of the participants.” The Daily Mail (UK) 
(8/29, Innes) also reports on the studies’ findings.




http://consumer.healthday.com/vitamins-and-nutritional-information-27/dieting-to-increase-fiber-health-news-194/your-gut-bacteria-may-be-key-to-obesity-risk-679637.html