what "bugs" me about obesity

a while back i posted on the role of dopamine in obesity. it's not clear if dopaminergic differences are correlation or causation (or which even is primary) in that research.

however, a new study indicates that one factor in obesity may be the kinds of creatures in your body. the causal link here is pretty clear.

researchers varied the composition of the microbiota in mouse digestive systems and subsequently fed them the same diet. it turns out that one particular combination increases calorie intake: m. smithii and b. thetaiotaomicron. without these species, carbohydrate digestion would slow significantly.

the new issue of the journal also has an interesting study on obesity, suggesting that there is an enzyme that predisposes towards lower body weight, yet increases susceptibility to diet-induced obesity. this provides further evidence for my theory that life just isn't fair!!

Labels: neuroscience