- Scientists found a gut bacterium called Turicibacter.
- Turicibacter helps mice stay healthier on fatty food.
- Mice on a high-fat diet gain less weight.
- The bacterium lowers blood sugar and blood fat.
- It makes many fats the small intestine absorbs.
- High-fat diets can reduce Turicibacter in the gut.
- Giving the bacterium's purified fats also helps weight.
- Researchers will try to find the active fats.
- The study was done by a university team.
Difficult words
- bacterium — a very small organism, one single cell
- gut — the stomach and intestines inside the body
- absorb — to take in liquids or food into bodyabsorbs
- high-fat diet — a diet with a lot of fat
- researcher — a person who studies a topic carefullyResearchers
Tip: hover, focus or tap highlighted words in the article to see quick definitions while you read or listen.
Discussion questions
- Do you eat high-fat food?
- Do you think bacteria can help people's health?
- Would you take a medicine made from bacteria?
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