Obesity, it isn't all in the 'Gut'!
A study by international researchers, published in the April 29 issue of the journal, Science Translational Medicine, links the various byproducts of digestion to obesity.
The study analyzed urine samples of 2,324 American and British participants to study how food was digested in their bodies. In addition to this, a comprehensive biochemical map was made by collecting complete information from the subjects about their food intake, exercise routine and body parameters like body mass index (BMI) and blood pressure.
The researchers zeroed in on the byproduct of digestion: the 'metabolites', molecules explored for the first time in any research study. It was concluded that out of more than two dozen metabolites, only nine could be linked to a high BMI, a predictable measure of body fat. Jeremy Nicholson, Head at the Department of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College London and co-author of the study said that almost half of these metabolites haven't been earlier associated with obesity.
The study concluded that these nine "fatty" metabolites were formed in the human gut, by the action of microbes involved in digestion. In fact, five to six percent of obesity risk is attributable to such microbes of the gut. Another metabolite, a byproduct of digestion of red meat was also linked to a high BMI. On the other hand, the residue from the processing and break down of citrus fruits was associated with a low BMI.
However, the authors of the study pointed out that obesity is a complex whole of a multitude of factors. Along with being caused by these gut microbes; it is more of a lifestyle disease. Unhealthy eating habits and utter lack of exercise have upped the ante by increasing vulnerability to obesity. Even genetics aren't much at play, accounting for only 1.4 percent of obesity risk in totality, said Nicholson.
A study by international researchers, published in the April 29 issue of the journal, Science Translational Medicine, links the various byproducts of digestion to obesity.
The study analyzed urine samples of 2,324 American and British participants to study how food was digested in their bodies. In addition to this, a comprehensive biochemical map was made by collecting complete information from the subjects about their food intake, exercise routine and body parameters like body mass index (BMI) and blood pressure.
The researchers zeroed in on the byproduct of digestion: the 'metabolites', molecules explored for the first time in any research study. It was concluded that out of more than two dozen metabolites, only nine could be linked to a high BMI, a predictable measure of body fat. Jeremy Nicholson, Head at the Department of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College London and co-author of the study said that almost half of these metabolites haven't been earlier associated with obesity.
The study concluded that these nine "fatty" metabolites were formed in the human gut, by the action of microbes involved in digestion. In fact, five to six percent of obesity risk is attributable to such microbes of the gut. Another metabolite, a byproduct of digestion of red meat was also linked to a high BMI. On the other hand, the residue from the processing and break down of citrus fruits was associated with a low BMI.
However, the authors of the study pointed out that obesity is a complex whole of a multitude of factors. Along with being caused by these gut microbes; it is more of a lifestyle disease. Unhealthy eating habits and utter lack of exercise have upped the ante by increasing vulnerability to obesity. Even genetics aren't much at play, accounting for only 1.4 percent of obesity risk in totality, said Nicholson.
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