Researchers find link between gut bacteria, obesity

ST. LOUIS A recent study has found that gut bacteria can lead to obesity.

Researchers at the Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis found that after transplanting human microbes into mice, and taking the mice off of a low-fat diet to one made up of high fat and sugars, the microbial makeup of the mice changed within 24 hours. The content of the diet changed the composition of gut bacteria, thus making them rapidly gain weight.

Scientists stress that there are many factors that play a role in weight gain, but this discovery may help scientists have a better understanding and perhaps treat the problem of obesity.