Pathogen from gut of obese human causes obesity in germfree mice

Re:Pathogen from gut of obese human causes obesity in germfr... by acgourley on Wednesday December 19, 2012 @02:40PM (#4944341)

For people who didn't read the summary - that patient who lost 30kg and reduced their bacteria population was on anti-biotics. So, right, it would be interesting to see if that bacteria reduces without the anti-biotics.

But before you think the researchers left a big hole in their research, remember that the addition of bacteria makes mice obese. Now if we could just try that on humans...

edit: As pdx points out below, not antibiotics, pre-biotics. Big difference.

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Re:Pathogen from gut of obese human causes obesity in germfr... by pdx on Wednesday December 19, 2012 @03:12PM (#4944521)

The patient was not on antibiotics, he was on prebiotics. So, this is something you could do yourself without a doctors cooperation.

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Re:Pathogen from gut of obese human causes obesity in germfr... by Luc on Wednesday December 19, 2012 @04:07PM (#4944839)

The WTP diet is described as 'whole grains, traditional Chinese medicine and prebiotics'. Perhaps there's an active ingredient in the traditional medicine (e.g. an antibiotic occurring in plants)?

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Re:Pathogen from gut of obese human causes obesity in germfr... by Mz on Wednesday December 19, 2012 @04:53PM (#4945058)

Also, a lot of spices have antibiotic properties, and some oils. Food and its impact on health is more chemically complex than most people seem to realize.

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