Obesity not only runs in families, but it may also be tied to similar types of gut bacteria, a new study shows.
Researchers at Cornell University have identified a family of microbes called
Christensenellaceae that appear to help people stay lean — and having an abundance of them, or not, is strongly genetic, the
Wall Street Journal reports.
In a new study, published in the journal Cell this month, they reported that nice that received transplants of the bacteria gained less weight than untreated mice eating the same diet.
An explosion of research is examining into how bacteria affect human health and obesity. A growing body of research suggests rising rates of obesity are tied to increased use of antibiotics, which kill off “good” bacteria that help humans convert food into energy efficiently.
Gut bacteria not only digest food and help fight off invaders, but also produce vitamins and chemicals that help regulate the immune system, metabolism, mood, and weight gain, scientists say.
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