As many of you who see my posts in the VSG area know, I'm interested in gut bacteria and how it relates to our health and obesity.

A new study found a gut bacteria virus in more than half the population. And that virus may be linked to obesity:

http://www.npr.org/blogs/goatsandsoda/2014/07/24/334089538/globe-trotting-virus-hides-in-people-s-gut-bacteria

For those that missed my other posts on gut bacteria and obesity:

Bacteria from slim people could help treat obesity, study finds

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/09/06/health/gut-bacteria-from-thin-humans-can-slim-mice-down.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0

Gut metabolism changes -- not stomach size -- linked to success of vertical sleeve gastrectomy

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/03/140326142209.htm

Lynda

Obesity is a big deal, but very little research is being done to find a cure. We all know that is a disease, and diseases have causes and hopefully knowing the cause leads to a cure. There's been too much speculation as to the "cause," Many blame the obese person for their affliction--but many of us who have "been there" know there are dynamics at play that fight any attempt to lose weight, or to keep weight off. Unfortunately, the popular perception is that "Fat" people have done this to themselves. There are characterized as being obese because they consume massive amounts of foods: pizza, ice cream sundaes, and eat non stop. The erroneous public perception of our illness needs to be changed. And, more research is needed to find a cure.

I was depressed when I read comments on another website that degenerated WLS patients who had lost weight as still being grossly fat slobs. Sometimes I feel we can't win, no matter what we try to do for ourselves.

I too am keeping my eye on this "gut bacteria" theory and research. Thanks for posting those links and keeping this topic going here.

There is so much money to be made from fat people. They will never find a cure (short of what we are all doing) because it would cut into the bottom line of everyone from the pharmaceutical to weight loss companies like Jenny Craig and WW and all the low fat processed food companies and to many more to mention. I think it's that way with a lot of diseases but obesity the most. They blame it on people gorging themselves and no will power but honestly I never ate 3 meals a day unless I was on vacation with people who did. And then I gained 10 lbs just from that. There is other reasons for our weight than just food... I have a thyroid goiter and cysts but the lab says my thyroid is in the "normal" range. So yeah I totally believe there could be in our gut to make it worse but who wants to find it and kill the golden goose?