Obesity Also Triggered by Gas in Stomach

Too much to eat and move less frequently cited as the main cause of obesity or overweight. However, the researchers claim, obesity can also be caused by an imbalance of gas in the digestive organs.

A new study found that a person who has a high concentration of breath hydrogen and methane substances are more likely to have a body mass index and body fat percentage is higher.

The doctors at Cedars-Sinai Hospital in Los Angeles developed a breath test method for identifying microorganisms in the stomach. This breath test can determine whether people are most likely obese.

"This is the first large-scale study that shows the relationship between gas production and body weight. These results can be further important evidence to understand the many causes of obesity," said lead researcher Ruchi Mathur, director of the Diabetes Outpatient Treatment and Education Center at Cedars-Sinai.

The study, published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism analyzed the breath of 792 people, and found there are 4 patterns or shapes breath. Four patterns are: normal breath; higher methane concentrations; higher levels of hydrogen, and methane and hydrogen levels higher.

Participants who have airway shape into four, namely the rate of methane and hydrogen has a higher body mass index and body fat percentage were significantly higher as well.

The content of methane associated with microorganisms called Methanobrevibacter smithii. These microorganisms are the most responsible in the formation of methane gas in the human body.

In normal amounts, the presence of microorganisms are used to help convert food into energy. "However, in excessive amounts, these microorganisms gas creates imbalance and lead to weight gain," said Mathur.

While the presence of microorganisms that produce normal quantities of hydrogen will help the absorption of nutrients from food. However, if the amount is excessive, they can lead to excessive absorption of calories from foods that cause obesity.