The microbes in our gut regulate genes that control obesity and inflammation
If you are looking to lose weight in the coming year, you may need help from an unexpected place: the bacteria in your gut. That's because scientists have discovered that the bacteria living in your intestines may play a far more significant role in weight loss and gastrointestinal problems than ever imagined. In a new research report published online in The FASEB Journal (http://www.fasebj.org), researchers show that a deficiency of Toll-like receptor 2 (Tlr2) - used by mammals (including humans) to recognise resident microbes in the intestines - leads to changes in gut bacteria that resemble those of lean animals and humans. This discovery builds on previous research demonstrating that a deficiency of TLR2 protects against obesity, while at the same time promoting gastrointestinal problems like excessive inflammation. It also shows that genes controlling TLR2 expression play a very important role in one's gastrointestinal health and weight management...