Obesity: New light shed on obesity-associated gut microbiota.

摘要

The findings of a recent study published in the International Journal of Obesity suggest that Lactobacillus reuteri is associated with obesity and that Bifidobacterium animalis, Methanobrevibacter smithii and other species of Lactobacillus are associated with normal weight.The prevalence of obesity is steadily increasing worldwide and it is a risk factor for a variety of diseases, including stroke and cancer. Many factors are thought to have a role in causing obesity. In particular, research has demonstrated that obesity is associated with a specific profile of gut microbiota. However, the associations between different bacterial species and their role in either protecting against or promoting obesity are complex, and data are limited.