If you want to lose weight, then you need to learn about the new link between bacteria in the large intestine and the food you eat. New research tells us that it is bacteria that can control how we gain or lose body weight.  Obesity may be caused by a certain kind of bacteria rather than eating too much or exercising too little.

Here is more information about all of this:

 People who are obese harbour fewer types of microbes in their large intestine than people who are lean, and have a significantly different abundance of specific bacteria.   Lozupone: gut microbia 2012  This information prompted researchers to search for bacteria that may turn switches on/off for managing the metabolic process and obesity. Researchers found two such bacteria.

Using two mouse models to mimic obesity, researchers at the Catholic University of Louvain in Belgium determined that the bacterium A. muciniphila, responsible for digesting the glycoproteins in mucus known as mucins, which are secreted by intestinal epithelial cells, is significantly lower in obese and overweight children and in patients with inflammatory bowel disease. Gallagher: Bacteria controls weight loss 2013

The A. muciniphila gets its name from its ability to digest mucus secreted by intestinal epithelial cells. It makes up 3 percent to 5 percent of the microbes in a healthy mammalian gut, making it one of the major strains in our gastrointestinal tract. In the intestines of obese people and mice, and people with type 2 diabetes, however, levels of this bacterium are much lower.  Gallagher: Bacteria controls weight loss 2013

Researchers found another bacteria,Akkermansia, that could reduce inflammation and could also prevent obesity.  This is significant news for the millions who are obese and overweight.  Changing their diet, what they eat, can help them lose and regulate their body weight. Everard: Bacteria curbs obesity 2013  Liszt: veggie diet 2009 So what you eat is most important!

A little more information about this important bacteria:  The dominant and useful bacterium Akkermansia muciniphila grows in the intestinal mucus layer that protects against microbial intruders in the intestinal system of all humans, from babies to the elderly.

It is also inversely correlated with weight increase or fat storage, inflammatory reactions in fatty tissues and insulin resistance.  With a normal diet, no effect was noticed but in mice that became overweight as a result of a high-fat diet, the Akkermansia bacteria caused a reduction in fat development and associated metabolic defects, without affecting food intake. After the administration of Akkermansia bacteria, there was an increase in endocannabinoid levels, a substance that ensures blood glucose remains at the correct level. In addition, the intestinal barrier function was strengthened.   Everard: Bacteria curbs obesity 2013

Akkermansia bacteria are apparently present in large numbers in humans [and rodents] that were not overweight. Fewer were present in humans and rodents with inflammations or obesity.  Everard: Bacteria curbs obesity 2013  Treatment with Akkermansia bacteria could reduce inflammation and may prevent obesity. Follow-up studies in humans is needed. 

People absorb different quantities of calories from the exact same food, thanks to their variety of bacteria in the large intestine. Liszt: veggie diet 2009 Santacruz: weight gain 2010 Here is a video explaining this:

Source: Dr. Michael Greger

So you think you are now ready to get some good bacteria and start losing weight?  well .... there is more!

Fat loss is difficult when the body is full of toxins, as toxins interfere with fat loss. "The biggest reason we don't burn fat easily is because we are full of toxins, and our bodies store toxins in fat. Our bodies do not want to burn "toxic fat" because the toxins would be evicted, or re-released into the body. To explain this further, the fat burning cycle is initiated by the hormone glucagon, which is released when we eat protein [found in meat ]. Three main things inhibit the production of glucagon. The first is excess Cortisol, released due to stress. The second is excess estrogen. [ Even guys produce or have excess estrogen in their bodies, obtained through food, tap water or other sources in the environment. ] The third inhibitor is toxic overload within the body. So, when toxins overload [stress] our bodies, our bodies do not burn fat. Our resourceful bodies remove surplus toxins from the blood, and store toxins in fat so that they can't harm us; excess toxins in blood stream give us a sick feeling, known as the Herxheimer reaction [ Herxheimer effect/feeling ]. The body will not burn fat as long as our bodies continue to be stressed with toxins. To make matters worse, when our fat stores are full of toxins, we develop even more fat stores to take care of our newly acquired toxins. No wonder losing fat is so difficult!"  Karl: Toxins prevent weight loss

Obesity-Toxin- Herx effect complex: Obese persons may feel an unexplained discomfort that eventually becomes an accepted bad feeling. This may be explained as follows:

Fat cells act as a warehouse for storing fat soluble chemicals and toxins. These toxins hi-jack the fat cells and prevent their eviction; thereby preventing the fat cells from being excreted from the body.

So the first step in getting rid of fat in the fat cells is to release the stored toxins. You can help your body do this by eating lots of vegetables and fruit with a minimum of meat. The chlorophyll found in green vegetables; and the supplements spirulina and chlorella, will naturally detoxify the toxins from the fat cells; thereafter the fat in the fat cells will be released and cleared from the body. This green diet will also gradually change the kind of bacteria in your colon and begin getting rid of the poisonous toxins.

Another helper to boost gut levels of A. muciniphila and Akkermansia bacteria is to ingest prebiotics.