NPR

Diet Hit A Snag? Your Gut Bacteria May Be Partly To Blame

Scientists are learning more about how our gut microbes may influence dieting. A small new study finds successful dieters have a different mix of bacteria than less-successful dieters.
A small new study shows that successful dieters had an abundance of a bacteria called <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5585883/">Phascolarctobacterium</a>, whereas another bacteria,<em> Dialister</em>, was associated with a failure to lose weight.

Ever been on a diet but didn't hit your goal weight? Your gut bacteria may be part of the explanation.

New research suggests the mix of microbes in our guts can either help — or hinder — weight-loss efforts.

"We started with the premise that people have different microbial make-ups, and this could influence how well they do with dieting," explains , a gastroenterologist at

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