The age old perception of health may have changed this Wednesday.  A new study done on mice gave scientists insight into why bacteria in the gut could change how humans process fat.  Before the question was … ” How many calories are you consuming?  How many calories are you burning?”  The difference between the 2 would determine if you gained weight OR lost weight. 

     We all know those people who seem to eat whatever they want and they still  stay lean and thin.  In the past, we thought genetics was the only technical answer to this question but it seems we overlooked the “good bugs” in our intestinal tract.  They are the Brain of our bodies processing system.  The new research on mice suggests that obese people have a different make up of “bugs” in their intestinal tract.  They essentially decide whether the food is turned into fat or used as fuel. 

The Study                                   

      Human bacteria was injected into germ free mice.  Once inside the intestinal tract, the bacteria began to multiply.  After the bacteria had entered the mice the scientists began to manipulate the diet of each mouse.  When fed a high carb, high fat diet, these mice gained weight due to a change in the bacteria balance in their gut.   However, when  the other group was fed a low fat plant based diet they remained lean and maintained good bacteria balance in their guts.   This research was also demonstrated in genetic twins.  One twin was larger while the other was leaner.  This was also due to the balance of good and bad bacteria in their system. 

      This research actually makes a lot of sense to me!  It explains a tremendous amount and it could change many people’s lives  in the future!  More research is needed to change how Americans consume foods.  Instead of our foods being “organic” they may now be promoting specific “lean” bacterias that help keep you losing weight instead of gaining!

      How cool would it be to have these kinds of choices in your super market!

Adria Ali