Fat bug could increase risk of type 2 diabetes

A bug that lives in the digestive tract may boost the appetite, potentially leading to cholesterol and blood pressure problems which increase the risk of developing diabetes and other diseases.
The tummy bug was discovered in mice, but the results are apparently relevant to humans. They were published in the journal Science . Andrew Gewirtz of Emory University, Atlanta, reportedly commented:
“It has been assumed that the obesity epidemic in the developed world is driven by an increasing sedentary lifestyle and the abundance of low-cost high-calorie foods. However, our results suggest… intestinal bacteria contribute to changes in appetite and metabolism.”
The study found that mice with the bug put on weight more rapidly than other creatures. Further knowledge of the condition could lead to more development of type 2 diabetes therapies in the future.