Chemical Engineering @ChemengFiles.Com

A team led by researchers from the Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC) has identified a relationship between body weight and composition of the gastrointestinal microflora. The work, published in the journal Obesity, suggests that the intestinal microflora contributes to the body's energy supply and its influence on the regulation of body weight. The results may encourage the design of new strategies to combat obesity.

CSIC researcher Yolanda Sanz, Institute of Agrochemistry and Food Technology, explains: "These new research on the relationship between specific components of the intestinal microflora, lifestyle and body weight regulation may be key in advancing the development of new strategies for nutritional intervention to contribute more effectively to prevent obesity and associated metabolic diseases by modulating the composition of the flora. "

The study involved 36 overweight or obese adolescents undergoing a treatment based on reducing energy intake and increasing physical activity over 10 weeks. The research highlights differences in the response of adolescents to treatment. Most individuals experienced a significant weight loss, more than 4 kg, after treatment, but not in a subgroup of 13 adolescents who had lost less than 2 kg

"The study suggests that these differences in response may be due in part to the specific composition of the intestinal microflora of individuals. The group experienced a significant loss of weight have a greater proportion of Bacteroides and clostridia under [types of intestinal bacteria] that the group did not experience a significant reduction in weight before and after the "incident Yolanda Sanz.

The analysis of energy intake and composition of the diet revealed no significant differences between groups, but the total energy detected in the feces was higher in adolescents who did not experience a significant reduction in weight. These data suggest that the intestinal microflora influences the development of obesity and energy intake contributes to the body.

The research is a collaboration with research groups in the integrated EVASYON project, coordinated by the Research Institute of Ascension Marcos Cold-ICTAN (CSIC) and is intended to establish a multidisciplinary educational program (diet, physical activity and psychological profile ) for adolescents with overweight and obesity. This project was recently awarded him the prize awarded by the NAOS Ministry of Health and Social Policy.