Participants took 28 capsules containing the gut bacteria of four healthy donors over two days.
Much to the delight of the scientists, the bacteria survived in the gut. But while the bacteria stayed, so did the fat. We thought that they would get dramatic weight loss, it didn t happen, Cutfield said.
But what they did find was really quite exciting. What we did see was that metabolic syndrome almost disappeared in those treated. Metabolic syndrome is a condition with higher blood pressure, higher blood sugars, higher lipids, too much tummy fat. Major risk for diabetes, major risk for heart disease, he said.
NZ breakthrough: How new gut bugs can help obese teens
21 Dec, 2020 04:00 PM
4 minutes to read
Auckland student Cassandra Lindsay was developing metabolic syndrome when she joined a world-first trial involving gut bacteria capsules. It soon disappeared. Photo / Supplied
Cassandra Lindsay knows what a painful struggle being young and overweight can be.
From physical health problems to the psychological toll of bullying or feeling self-conscious while out shopping, the 21-year-old Auckland student experienced much of it. It s something that, although we can control it, feels very uncontrollable. And if you ve been overweight your whole life, you kind of think, Oh, that s just who I am now .