Zeitschrift für Ernährung und Gewichtsverlust

Abstrakt

Reversing the regression of our intestinal flora to combat obesity and its associated diseases

Heidi L Rowles

Obesity has become a global epidemic, leading to a rise in obesity-related diseases and staggering medically-related costs in the United States in 2008, estimated at $147 million. According to the Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health, less than 15% of the U.S. population was obese in 1990. This percentage rose to over 25% by 2010, and by 2016, 69% of U.S. adults were overweight and 36% obese. There are a number of genetic and environmental factors that can lead to obesity, but a decrease in the diversity of gut bacteria caused by antibiotics and emulsifiers has also been linked to the rise in obesity. Antibiotics and emulsifiers were introduced commercially around the same time (early to mid-20th century), and from that point on, the prevalence of obesity and its comorbidities began to increase. Increasing the diversity of gut bacteria is necessary to combat obesity. Studies have shown that increasing the diversity of the microbiome leads to fewer gastrointestinal symptoms and lower levels of obesity. Increasing the density and diversity of gut bacteria is a natural way to combat obesity and improve overall health.