The gut microbiota as an environmental factor that regulates fat storage
Wow…this is a deep one with far reaching ramifications. Now, keep in mind that this is an animal study, but here it goes. The bacterial flora from a conventially grown rat, in this study, has the potential to influence the storage of fat in our adipose cells. Now, it is far too early to draw any conclusions. But picture if destruction/disruption of normal flora by antibiotics is yet another factor contributing to the obesity epidemic in Westernized countries. I still feel that too much worry is put into the development of antibiotic resistance from antibiotic overuse while the long term damaging effects of destroying normal flora is ignored.
The gut microbiota as an environmental factor that regulates fat storage — Bäckhed et al. 101 (44): 15718 — Proceedings of ..