Articles

Recent research has discovered a relationship between various groups of microbes in the human GI tract and obesity. Intestinal organisms are important for their role in helping to break down various nutrients to aid in their absorption for conversion into energy. One class of organisms is highly efficient in breaking down plant sugars that are then absorbed and converted into more complex fats in the liver. In addition, this same group of organisms is also capable of secreting a compound that increases the activity of certain enzymes in fat cells that results in enhanced storage of these fats, and thus weight gain. Other organisms are not as efficient at this function. Consequently, if there is an imbalance between these two groups of organisms, significant fat accumulation can occur in the body.

Obese versus lean individuals show differing percentages of these microbes. If obese individuals are put on low carbohydrate and low fat diets, and lose weight, their microbial balance also improves.

This concept of microbes being linked to obesity raises some interesting possibilities. Ongoing studies are exploring the relationship of specific diets or using pre and probiotics to affect the microbial balance that impacts fat storage. The ability to assess and improve the balance of these "fat bugs" in humans will be an important contribution to reducing obesity.

At The Hall Center we are now offering a new test from MetaMetrix laboratory that assesses the levels of these organisms by the detection of their DNA in stool tests. This exciting new technology is highly reliable and accurate, and can be performed on only one stool sample. It is significantly more accurate than other forms of GI testing because DNA is highly stable. The organisms do not need to be alive, frozen, or preserved, as it is only the DNA fragments that are needed for testing. The DNA is also extremely specific to the various organisms and can be detected in very small concentrations, eliminating the need for multiple samples or special timing. It is also very precise as it is based on cellular DNA, not antibodies.

This information is for educational purposes only, and is not intended to treat or diagnose any health condition.