Is bacteria to blame for obesity?

Added on 08/03/10

Author: James Congdon – Editor

According to a number of American reports, the bugs in our stomachs that are responsible for digestion could well be to blame for our weight gain. According to research, this may be down the fact that different types of bacteria are present in the gut and when the wrong kinds are involved in our digestion processes, it can lead to low level inflammation. This can potentially increase our appetite.

To date, the jury has been well and truly out as to whether the current obesity pandemic is linked with sedentary lifestyles and excessive calorie intakes, claims senior author of the study Andrew Gewirtz of Emoru University School of Medicine.

“However, our results suggest that excess caloric consumption is not only a result of undisciplined eating but that intestinal bacteria contribute to changes in appetite and metabolism" he says.

Clinical studies

Along with a team of scientists, Gerwitz and his colleagues looked at mice, all of which were genetically engineered to suffer with deficient immune system protein – TLR5. This helps the cells in our body to react when bacteria is present.

Whilst the immune system is able to regulate bacteria without TLR5, experts believe that its ability to do so is impeded without sufficient levels. In the instance that the body lacks TLR5, bacterial levels change, leading to low level inflammation. As a result of this, insulin receptors are inhibited meaning our appetites are increased. This can cause overeating – a prime contributory to obesity.

Previous studies

Mice have been used previously to determine causes of obesity. One such experiment involved the genetic engineering of rodents, to have deficient levels of a particular enzyme called TGH, a hormone that is responsible for releasing bad cholesterol in the liver.

Whilst experts had predicted that the lack of TGH would lower the cholesterol, they believed that additional problems would result from the transition. However, results proved contrary and cholesterol was lowered, without added complications.