Obesity research points to new therapeutic target

Obese people have large concentrations of bacteria called Firmicutes in their gut, which are very efficient when it comes to extracting calories from food. And researchers say that the bacteria helps explain why some people are quick to gain weight and why it is harder for the obese to lose weight. By transferring Firmicutes from the guts of fat mice to lean mice, researchers reported, the lean mice gained weight. That suggests that finding ways to control Firmicutes may offer a new pathway to treating or preventing obesity. Their work is outlined in the current issue of Nature.

- read The Washington Post report on the obesity research

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