You are what's in your gut?

Conditioning Research has a fascinating post about gut flora and its relationship with obesity and body weight.

Researchers have already observed that obese and lean people have differences in their gut microbiome. What preliminary findings are still missing, according to Borenstein, is a comprehensive, system-level understanding of how these variations in the genetic makeup of the microbiome affect its organization and consequently its metabolic potential (energy production, use and storage) and its effects on the human host.

Basically, this new study shows that it may not be just WHAT you eat, but what's in your gut when you eat it. Go read the whole thing. Seriously intriguing.