This apparent alteration of the metabolic potential is believed to confer a greater capacity to harvest energy contributing to obesity.
[1] A possible mechanistic explanation linking gut flora to obesity involves short chain fatty acids.
These changes in gut hormone levels have shown to affect glucose tolerance, insulin signaling, intestinal barrier function and have led to weight gain in rodents.
[4] An association between viruses and obesity has been found in humans, as well as a number of different animal species.
[5] A fat virus is the popular name for the notion that some forms of obesity in humans and animals have a viral source.