According to Dr. Licio Velloso, who presented a report at the conference of the Foundation for Scientific Research of the State of Sao Paulo, not so long ago, scientists were able to establish that rapid weight gain is caused by changes in the intestinal microflora and the death of specific neurons in the hypothalamus. However, until now, it has been a mystery which of these processes starts first. To find out, scientists conducted a series of experiments on mice. The rodents were prescribed a special diet high in saturated fats, which was supposed to lead to metabolic disorders. On the very first day of the experiment, the researchers recorded changes in the neurosecretory cells of the hypothalamus, while the composition of the intestinal microflora remained the same for two weeks. As a result, scientists came to the conclusion that it is the death of neurons that regulate the feeling of satiety that leads to a “chain reaction” throughout the body. Now, experts will have to find a way to restore the neurons lost due to an unbalanced diet. “This is only the first step, but perhaps it will help achieve a therapeutic solution to the problem of obesity in the future,” said Velloso. Source: RIA Novosti