Wrong Type of Gut Bacteria Can Make You Fat!

Correlation Between Intestinal Bacteria and Weight Loss

After telling people about how I had started making probiotic fermented juices and how the beneficial bacteria would feed upon any carbs I ate, a few people asked me if fermented juices can contribute to weight loss.  That seemed like a logical conclusion.   

I did some research and found that yes, good gut bacteria can help you lose weight, and the wrong type of gut bacteria can actually make you fat.  In addition, beneficial  microbes can do many more things -- including contributing to immune system health, organ development, brain development:

Animals raised without microbes essentially lack a functioning immune system. Entire repertoires of white blood cells remain dormant; their intestines don’t develop the proper creases and crypts; their hearts are shrunken; genes in the brain that should be in the 'off; position remain stuck “on.” Without their microbes, animals aren’t really “normal.”

-- from Mother Jones article Are Happy Gut Bacteria Key to Weight Loss?

Bacteria that Makes You Fat

Scientists isolated a specific gut bacteria that can actually activate a gene that helps generate fat, and deactivate a gene that consumes fat. The bacteria called is called Enterobacter cloacae, and it releases an endotoxin "that can activate a gene that helps generate fat. And it also deactivates a gene that consumes fat", and creates diabetes. (1)

Enterobacter cloacae have been found in high percentages in morbidly obese people, but they also can exist in those of regular weight as well.

Pre-Biotic Foods Feed Good Bacteria

The mere addition of soluble plant fibers called oligosaccharides prevented the entire cascade—no endotoxin, no inflammation, and no diabetes.  Oligosaccharides act as pre-biotics, feeding the beneficial bacteria. Oligosaccharides are found in the highest quantities in the vegetables scallions, white onions, leeks; and in the fruits nectarines, watermelon, pears, and blueberries. (2)

Scientific Results:  Successful Weight Loss 

Research scientist, Zhao Liping, lost 44 pounds in two years after adopting a diet of fermented probiotic foods such as bitter melon to adjust the balance of bacteria in his gut. 

One of his patients lost over 66 pounds in nine weeks after being placed on a diet of "whole grains, traditional Chinese medicinal foods and prebiotics", which reduced the bacterium's presence in the patient's gut to "undetectable" levels, the paper said. (3)

As this patient's metabolism normalized, quantities of a bacterium with anti-inflammatory properties flourished, Faecalibacterium prausnitzi.  These bacteria produce healthful byproducts, like acetic acid, butyric acid, B vitamins, and vitamin K through the fermentation of dietary fiber. This bacterium is absent in people suffering from inflammatory diseases, such as Crohn’s disease, as well as Type 2 diabetes. Scientists at the University of Tokyo have shown that colonizing mice with this bacterium and its relatives—called “Clostridium clusters”—protects them against colitis.

Liping has repeated his regimen with 90 people, and has achieved similar improvements. (4)

Conclusion

So besides helping you lose weight, beneficial bacteria also help your immune system, organ development, and genetic development.  If you do any experimenting yourself, please feel free to share your results in the comments.

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References

1. Landmark Chinese study: Intestinal bacteria control obesity  https://dailycaller.com/2012/12/19/landmark-chinese-study-intestinal-bacteria-control-obesity/
2. Are Happy Gut Bacteria Key to Weight Loss?
   https://www.motherjones.com/environment/2013/04/gut-microbiome-bacteria-weight-loss/4/
3. China researchers link obesity to bacteria
   https://medicalxpress.com/news/2012-12-china-link-obesity-bacteria.html
4. Are Happy Gut Bacteria Key to Weight Loss?
   https://www.motherjones.com/environment/2013/04/gut-microbiome-bacteria-weight-loss/4/

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