Blame a gut bacteria for your compulsive eating, obesity

Worried about your food addiction Take heart a team of researchers has identified a specific gut bacteria associated with both mice and human compulsive eating disorder and obesityIn the research presented on Thursday at the Federation of European Neuroscience Societies FENS Forum 2024 the international team identified bacteria that play a beneficial role in preventing food addictionWhile until now the mechanisms underlying this behavioural disorder were largely unknown the new findings also published in the journal Gut could be used as potential new treatments for this obesityrelated behaviourPotential new treatments could involve using beneficial bacteria and dietary supplementation said Rafael Maldonado from the Laboratory of NeuropharmacologyNeuroPhar at the Universitat Pompeu Fabra in Barcelona SpainIn the study the team investigated the gut bacteria in mice who were and were not addicted to foodThey found an increase in bacteria belonging to a group called the Proteobacteria phylum and a decrease in bacteria belonging to the Actinobacteria phylum in the foodaddicted miceThese mice also had a decrease in the amount of another type of bacteria called Blautia from the Bacillota phylumSimilar to the findings in mice decreases in the Actinobacteria phylum and Blautia were seen among people with addiction to food and increase in the Proteobacteria phylumThe findings in both mice and humans suggested that specific microbiota could be protective in preventing food addiction said Elena MartinGarcia from the varsityKnow all about braineating amoeba infection that claimed two lives in KeralaExposure to contaminated water is a major reason for infection from a braineating amoeba that has claimed the lives of two young children within a month in Kerala said doctors calling for avoiding swimming in lakes and other water bodiesAmoebic encephalitis is a rare but fatal central nervous system infection caused by freeliving amoebae Naegleria fowleri amoeba also known as braineating amoeba found in freshwater lakes and riversA week earlier the infection Amoebic encephalitis caused by the Naegleria fowleri amoeba claimed the life of Dakshina a 13yearold girl from KannurEarlier in May a fiveyearold girl also from Kannur succumbed to the infectionAnother 12yearold boy from Kozhikode has been suspected of the disease after showing symptoms of an amoebic infection While two cases follow within days of a swim in a lake in Dakshinas case it reportedly took several months to manifestAmoebic encephalitis caused by the Naegleria fowleri amoeba typically starts one to 9 days after exposure to contaminated water This infection enters through the nasal cavity and advances rapidly potentially becoming fatal within days Dr Arjun Srivatsa Director ampamp HOD Institute of Neurosciences Sakra World Hospital told usSymptoms commonly include severe headache fever nausea vomiting stiff neck confusion loss of balance seizures hallucinations sensitivity to light and comaThere are two types of amebic encephalitis namely primary meningoencephalitis PAM and granulomatous amebic encephalitis GAE The initial symptoms of PAM are indistinguishable from bacterial meningitis while the symptoms of GAE can mimic a brain abscess encephalitis or meningitisAntimicrobial therapy is the mainstay of the treatment yet the mortality rate is above 90 per centDr John Paul Consultant in Tropical Medicine amp Infectious Disease SPARSH Hospital Bengaluru called on parents to take precautions before allowing children into any waterbodyAlso read Routine checks up and screenings men over 40 must considerPAM affects the central nervous system rapidly and the mortality rate is 90 per cent This usually occurs in healthy children and young adults who would have been exposed to any waterbody that has the presence of amoeba Naegleria fowleri This amoeba is present in warm and fresh water and the soil Dr John told usDr John explained that a week after contracting the infection the symptoms progress by causing stiffness in the neck seizures confusion hallucinations and personality changes photophobia loss of balanceIf not detected at the earlier stages the patientrsquos symptom progresses to coma severe brain swelling and death he saidThe experts advised avoiding swimming diving or submerging especially for people who are immunocompromised to minimise the risk of contracting amoebic encephalitis from contaminated waterIf swimming is necessary using nasal clips can provide some protection against Naegleria fowleri entering through the nasal passages Dr Arjun saidAlso read Obesity smoking key triggers for Alzheimers Disease say expertsThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever