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Bacteria in intestines curbs obesity - Why fibre is so important for weight loss.  Prof. Patrice Cani from Brussels and Prof Willem de Vos from Wageningen University have published new findings in the Scientific Journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS). They have discovered that there lives a dominant and useful bacteria in our guts. This bacterium is found in the intestinal mucus layer that protects against intruders. Amazingly this bacterium has a favourable effect on obesity. Obesity and type 2 diabetes are characterised by symptoms including inflammation, changes in the composition of the intestinal bacteria and the disruption of the natural barrier of the intestines. The study discovered that the bacteria was present in large amounts in humans (and rodents) who were not overweight but fewer were present in humans and rodents with inflammations or obesity. Futhermore after adminstering indigestible fibres such as oligofructose, there was a recovery of numbers of the bacteria. Oligofructose is a non digestible food that feed beneficial bacteria. It is found in a wide variety of foods such as bananas, onions, wholegrains, leeks, cottage cheese, some fruit and fortified foods. The bacteria strengthens the intestinal barrier. The study administered the Akkermansia bacteria to mice on various diets. With mice on a normal diet, no effect was noticed. However,
mice that became overweight as a result of a high fat diet, the Akkermansia bacteria caused a reduction in fat development and associated metabolic defects. Also they noticed that there was an increase in endocannabinoid levels, a substance that ensures blood glucose remains at the correct level. The experiment found that only uncooked oligofructose had the favourable effect. The implication of this research? Eating fibre from fruit and vegetables encourages good gut bacteria. These bacteria work hard to prevent weight gain from fat and prevent metabolic diseases. Should I be counting calories to lose weight? What are fake foods? Does food addiction really exist? Does sugar cause western diseases? Exercise and sports drinks Nutrition Videos Page Gut bacteria curbs obesity
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