Day 44 A Bug's Life

There are ten to one hundred trillion bugs in our gut. They're called micro flora and according to Jeffrey Gordon (Center for Genome Sciences at Washington University), these little boogers lead very busy lives. They, among other things, "help create capillaries that line and nourish the intestines. They produce vitamins, in particular, thiamine, pyroxidine and vitamin K. In addition, they provide enzymes which metabolize cholesterol and bile acid. They also help extract calories from the food we eat and store these calories in fat cell for later use--which gives them, in effect, a role in determining whether our diets will make us fat or thin."
A New York Times Magazine article, "Fat Factors" (Robin Marantz Henig, 8/13/2006), reported that a new wave of research suggests that microorganisms (bacteria, fungi, intestinal microbes) may contribute to obesity. So, it's not the biggie sized meals after all, it's a fat bug.
The article states that it's long been understood in the study of obesity that diet and obesity genes play a major role in the drama of weight gain/loss. No surprise there. About 50 obesity genes discovered since 1994 are identified with regulating the amount of food people consume, when eaters feel full, and how efficiently their fires burn the calories off. Infectobesity is the term that describes the field of research striving to determine if the gazillions of microbes living inside our gut (gut bugs) are actually making or keeping us fact. Gordon adds that it's a long way down the road before these tummy creepy crawler's role in obesity is completely understood.
Interesting but, a bit far fetched for me. The critter theory has the convenient potential to be just another excuse for not taking responsibility. Bugs or no stinkbugs, 20PO are in charge of their own weight loss or gain. I have heard every possible genetic and physiological excuse in the weight watching world from women who insist they can't lose weight. Won't happen. Doesn't matter what they do, how much they starve themselves, they can't shed pounds. Not one iota.
Really? I am wondering if someone who claims they can't lose weight was dropped smack down on a deserted island for three weeks with only a volleyball named Wilson and unlimited Dasani water, would she, when airlifted out, be any lighter? I'd bet money she would've lost at the very least, a few ounces.
Day44 Caorie Count: 1433 and 50+ minutes of walking