We have known for a while that obesity has a microbial component. Now, a team of scientists led by Patrice D. Cani reports a novel bacterium isolated from the human gut that counteracts diet-induced obesity, inflammation and glucose dysregulation in mice.

Gut microbiota, with its close links to metabolism and the immune system, could potentially be a factor that lies at the core of good health. This means it can be positioned at the heart of the processes that influence the risk of contracting different diseases.