infectobesity?

[Lost Dog]

The Bacteria in Your Gut Might Make You Fat

I always take this guy's info with a grain of less-flavorful-but-healthy-salt-substituting-spice, but this was interesting, nevertheless.

This interesting New York Times feature examines the emerging research on infectobesity -- the theory that microbes and viruses may be responsible for at least some instances of obesity.
If these are indeed a relevant factor, it could potentially change the way obesity is generally regarded.
One Washington University professor likened the functioning of gut microflora in our bodies to that of an ant farm that works together as an intelligence to perform an array of functions we're unable to manage on our own.
One of those chores includes extracting calories from the foods we eat, so the microflora in your gut may play a key role in obesity. While the field is still relatively new, a variety of studies -- including experiments in changing the gut microflora of mice -- indicate that such microbes can strongly affect metabolism.
Another area of research examines viruses and infections as a potential cause of obesity. Certain viruses may actually cause weight gain, rather than the wasting away typically associated with disease.
Nearly a third of the American public is obese, and obesity may account for 300,000 deaths a year. It has been linked to diseases including diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, osteoarthritis and some cancers.

Sounds like a call for a vaccine, eh?

The good Dr's take was good, though.

Fortunately, positively influencing the bacteria growing in your body is relatively easy. One of the most important steps you can take is to stop consuming sugary foods, which feed the bad bacteria that promote disease.
This is one of many reasons I highly recommend reducing, with the plan of eliminating, sugars and most grains from your diet. When you eat a healthy diet that is low in sugars and processed foods one of the major benefits is that it causes the good bacteria in your gut to flourish and build up a major defense against the bad bacteria getting a foothold on your health.

The article is a short and sweet read, but I have to admit that I often feel lousy after a day of binging on sweet or carby crap, even when the calories are low(ish (ah, who am I kidding?)). This tends to go along with my beliefs that a more "paleo" style diet is probably best for me.

Granted, I'm sure I could habituate back to a carbier diet, but I'm not sure I ever want to do that. I'll stick with the uncomfortable little reminders that binging is bad.

Strangely, I took a little fitness quiz today. Based on ONE question, it determined that I'm a "slow oxidizer" and should probably keep my carb percentages on the high end. What the heck is "slow oxidizer?"

[RobLL]

slow oxidizer - probably a word coined by someone who wants to sell you something.

[galya]

Slow and fast oxidizer refer to rate of cellular oxidation. Dr Wolcott (Metabolic Type Diet) says that fast oxidizers should rely primarily on heavy meats and fats (low carb) while slow should rely on carbs and some protein and less fat.
Here is a review of the book:http://www.frot.co.nz/dietnet/review...olic_diets.htm