New-found link between microbiota and obesity

Is obesity an infectious disease?

Here’s one for the scientifically minded among you.

In an article published in World Journal of Gastrointestinal Pathophysiology Chandra Kanti Chakraborti reviews what is currently known about microbiome imbalance (dysbiosis) and it’s role in obesity.

The author discusses which bacteria produce short chain fatty acids in the colon and the anti-obesity (antiobesogenic) properties of the short chain fatty acids butyrate and propionate.

One of the authors main conclusions:
“As one of the causes of obesity has been attributed to the structural components and metabolic end products of certain gastrointestinal microorganisms, it is not wrong to consider obesity (at least partially, if not fully) as an infectious disease. Further research in this respect is needed to confirm this possibility and to find out selective chemotherapeutic agents, which will reduce or abolish the more harmful bacterial population.”

Is obesity an infectious disease?

Check it out here and decide for yourself. 

Well worth a read.

Reference:
Chandra Kanti Chakraborti, C.K., (2015) New-found link between microbiota and obesity. World J Gastrointest Pathophysiol. Nov 15; 6(4): 110–119.