ROCHESTER, MINNESOTA — A study published in Mayo Clinic Proceedings shows certain types of bacteria in our gut may influence weight loss and weight gain.<br /><br />Researchers from the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota found that those who were successful in losing weight had an abundance of a bacteria called Phascolarctobacterium in their gut, while those who weren't had an abundance of bacteria named Dialister. <br /> <br />Gut bacteria is important as it breaks down food parts we can't normally digest. <br /><br />When this occurs, the bacteria creates "extra calories" for our body to digest, which results in a calorie boost.<br /><br />The study was conducted with 26 participants who were overweight and obese, and going through lifestyle changes.<br /><br />The participants were tracked for three months, during which they had to follow a low-calorie diet and were encouraged to walk 10,000 steps a day.<br /><br />The team of researchers collected fecal samples from the participants to find out which bacteria their body's digestive system contained.<br /><br />Purna Kashyap, a researcher involved in the study, explained to NPR that "people who lost at least 5 percent of their body weight had a different gut bacteria compared to those who did not lose 5 percent of their body weight."<br /><br />The bacteria Phascolarctobacterium had previously been associated with weight gain in a study involving obese rats.<br /><br />The Mayo researchers said their study suggests Phascolarctobacterium may increase the effects of lifestyle and dietary changes on weight loss. <br /><br />However, Kashyap added that there might be other types of bacteria that may influence dieting as well.
