Gut bacteria influence absorption of dietary fats

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September 21, 2012

In a world first, researchers studying Zebrafish have found that the mix of bacteria which inhabit the gut influence how well fats are absorbed from the intestines. Some gut microbes increase the absorption of dietary fats, allowing the host organism to extract more calories from the same amount of food. This new research from the University of North Carolina School of Medicine was published today in the Sept 13, 2012 issue of the journal Cell Host & Microbe. Previous studies had shown that gut microbes aid in the breakdown of complex carbohydrates, but their role in dietary fat metabolism has remained a mystery, until now.

“This study is the first to demonstrate that microbes can promote the absorption of dietary fats in the intestine and their subsequent metabolism in the body. The results underscore the complex relationship between microbes, diet and host physiology.”

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