Study suggests bacteria may elevate appetite

2010-03-08 16:29:05 (GMT) (WiredPRNews.com - Medical News, News)

A new study has proposed a link between obesity and unregulated digestive bacteria.

A new study suggests increased food consumption may be linked to bacteria in the stomach.

Chicago (WiredPRNesw.com) – A new study suggests there is a link between uncontrolled bacteria in the stomach and obesity. As reported by AFP, researchers found that digestive bacteria that isn’t properly regulated can lead to an increased appetite caused by inflammation.

Andrew Gewirtz of Emory University School of Medicine, senior author of the research, is quoted by AFP as stating of the findings, “It has been assumed that the obesity epidemic in the developed world is driven by an increasingly sedentary lifestyle and the abundance of low-cost, high-calorie foods… 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.”

As noted in the report, the researchers conducted the study on genetically engineered mice with a TLR5 protein deficiency. More information about the study may be found in the Science journal.

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Photo Found: Credit: Bill Branson, National Cancer Institute