A particular strain of friendly flora, Lactobacillus plantarum¹, has recently been shown to prevent weight gain from a high fat diet. High fat diets are notorious for disturbing the digestive bacterial populations in a manner that promotes weight gain and makes weight loss difficult, as I recently explained in my article, How Digestive Problems Prevent Weight Loss. This study shows that intervention with friendly flora can have a positive impact on the situation.

In this animal study rat mothers were placed on a high-fat diet and given Lactobacillus plantarum, E.coli, or nothing (control group). Offspring were given the same diet and flora supplements through the first six months of life. The Lactobacillus plantarum group developed fewer Bacteroidetes and Enterobacteriaceae, which are typically elevated in an out-of-balance number in those with weight problems. Furthermore, the Lactobacillus plantarum supplemented group had more biologically diverse strains of multiple friendly flora not seen in the other groups. The body weight of the Lactobacillus plantarum group was much less than the E.coli group, based directly on the balance of power within the digestive tract.

In other words, exposure to bacterial strains during pregnancy, breast feeding, and early life has a profound impact on weight gain in the offspring. This important study proves that friendly flora intervention can change the digestive balance of power in a favorable direction, even when stressed by a high-fat diet.