Gut Bacteria May Have Role In Obesity

A new animal study published in this month's issue of the Journal of Proteome Researchsuggests that bacteria living in the large intestine may play a role in obesity by slowing down the activity of energy-burning brown fat. The researchers said their findings could spur new ways to prevent obesity and promote weight loss, for example by pointing to new drug targets and microbial treatments...

There are two types of fat or adipose tissue in the body: brown fat and white fat. Brown fat burns 
In healthy humans, like other mammals, the large intestine is home to trillions of bacteria that help digest food and do other essential things like make vitamins. 

One theory the researchers proposed, was that gut bacteria contribute to host energy metabolism by producing short chain fatty acids through the fermentation of carbohydrates that would remain undigested if they weren't present.

When the bacteria are not there, the short chain fatty acids are not produced, and this disrupts a number of metabolic processes, thereby triggering calorie burning (lipolysis activity) in both the brown fat and the liver. 

The researchers suggest their findings could help find new ways to treat or prevent obesity, for instance by boosting the energy burning activity of brown fat.


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