Body Fat Link to Bacteria in Faeces

Bacteria decide your weight? 

Researchers established in King’s College in London believe that the composition of the bacteria found in the faeces of humans may have an impact on the levels of toxic fats in our bodies. They examined stood samples of more than three thousand six hundred twins for the study and found confirmation that some of these bacteria are innate. The material that the faeces contain bacteria could thus partially explain a reason as to why obesity is hereditary through family lines.

This study was published in the journal Genome Biology. The team of researchers dug out information from study partakers about the human faecal microorganism- the bacteria existent in samples of faeces – and matched these samples to six other measures of obesity, inclusive of BMI or body mass index and various types of fat in the body.

As a minimum 50 per cent of human faeces comprises of bacteria which is cast off from the gut. The scientists established that the strongest connections with visceral fat, where people with a high variety of bacteria in their faeces had a lesser intensity of visceral fat. This form of body fat could be bad because it is stockpiled in the area near the stomach around vital organs like the pancreas, liver and intestines to name a few and is connected with a greater risk of diabetes and cardiovascular disorders.

More investigation

Lead study author, Dr Michelle Beaumont from the department of genetic epidemiology and twin research at King’s College in London mentioned that even though the study portrayed a clear connection, it was not possible yet to support and give reasons for its existence.

One possible explanation could be that a deficiency of diversity in faecal bacteria could bring about the supremacy of high levels of microorganisms from the gut which are efficient at converting carbohydrates into fat. Dr Beaumont also stated that as the study was based on scrutiny and observation it they could not comment precisely as on how colonies of bacteria residing in the gut may possibly impact the storage of fat in the body, or if a different path is involved in gaining weight.

She also specified more research was in need in order to investigate how these microorganisms in the intestine and the faeces can impact the health of humans. However, there is an increasing mass of proof to put forward that bacteria from the intestine may have a key role in cases like obesity. It is already recognized that a minimum of 50 per cent of human faeces constitutes of bacteria that is cast off from the intestine. Dr Beaumont also mentioned that ingesting a large diet which consists of various different types of food similar to that of the prior hunter-gatherers could intensify the diversity of the organisms in human faeces.

She says that if the concept that these organisms are passed down from generations to generations stands true, then the same microorganisms may play a very vital role in the process of how fat develops around the body and the risk it can bring on health.