Obesity contagious - personal gut bacteria
on
Obesity Contagious?
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· Score: 1
According to research described in New Scientist magazine 01 Oct 2005
("Slimming for slackers"), the efficiency of extracting energy
from food consumed is partly dependent on the mix of bacteria in the gut.
We all depend on bacteria to do this for us, but some are more efficient
than others. Replacing less efficient bacteria with more efficient ones
would allow more calories to be extracted from what has been eaten, leading
to weight increase, all other things being equal.
There are several ways that one person's gut bacteria can be passed to another.
Here is one slightly unnerving one [taken from a book about everyday science]
Flushing a water based toilet generates a fine aerosol containing lots of things
you would rather not think about that can take over a day to disperse, giving
opportunity for expelled bacteria to be reingested. Closing the lid while flushing
does not remove the problem.
Another take on the matter is conjured up by the amusing sub-heading in the
article:
"Imagine being able to eat exactly what you like and yet staying
magically svelte. Introducing a new set of bugs into your digestive
system might do the trick."
(apologies if this information has already appeared - I searched but did not find it)
Slashdot Mirror
According to research described in New Scientist magazine 01 Oct 2005 ("Slimming for slackers"), the efficiency of extracting energy from food consumed is partly dependent on the mix of bacteria in the gut. We all depend on bacteria to do this for us, but some are more efficient than others. Replacing less efficient bacteria with more efficient ones would allow more calories to be extracted from what has been eaten, leading to weight increase, all other things being equal. There are several ways that one person's gut bacteria can be passed to another. Here is one slightly unnerving one [taken from a book about everyday science] Flushing a water based toilet generates a fine aerosol containing lots of things you would rather not think about that can take over a day to disperse, giving opportunity for expelled bacteria to be reingested. Closing the lid while flushing does not remove the problem. Another take on the matter is conjured up by the amusing sub-heading in the article: "Imagine being able to eat exactly what you like and yet staying magically svelte. Introducing a new set of bugs into your digestive system might do the trick." (apologies if this information has already appeared - I searched but did not find it)