OBESITY AND GUT BACTERIA
KAUFUI VINCENT WONG *
University of Miami, FL, USA
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
A timely problem in the United States of America is the obesity problem. North America is just one of the many regions in the world faced with this problem amongst its populace. A group of researchers have found that if the ratio of Firmicutes to Bacteroidetes is more in the colon, the person is likely to be obese. These same investigators have declared that if the ratio of Firmicutes to Bacteroidetes is less in the colon, then the person is likely to be slim. A thorough review of recent juried literature reveals that there is no consensus to these declarations. Some discussion is provided regarding whether a specific food item may provide different amounts of calories for two different persons because of their variable gut bacteria. More research is required so that the general public will be properly informed with the true information.
Keywords: Fat, slim, colon, microbiome, foods, Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes