1/13/2011 PERMALINK
The microbes in your gut regulate genes that control obesity and inflammation. If you are looking to lose weight in the coming year, the bacteria in your gut can help. That's because scientists have discovered that the bacteria living in your intestines plays a far more significant role in weight loss and gastrointestinal problems than ever imagined. Richard Kellermayer, Ph.D., a researcher involved in the work from the Section of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston has shown that a deficiency of Toll-like receptor 2 (Tlr2), used by mammals (including humans) to recognize resident microbes in the intestines, leads to changes in gut bacteria that resemble those of lean animals and humans.