Milk fats may alter gut bacteria causing bowel diseases (BBC) {Crohn's, ulcerative colitis}

[eppur_se_muova]

By James Gallagher
Health and science reporter, BBC News

The rise of inflammatory bowel diseases could be down to our shifting diets causing a "boom in bad bacteria", according to US researchers.

Mouse experiments detailed in the journal Nature linked certain fats, bacteria in the gut and the onset of inflammatory diseases.

The researchers said the high-fat diet changed the way food was digested and encouraged harmful bacteria.

Microbiologists said modifying gut bacteria might treat the disease.
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They used genetically modified mice which were more likely to develop IBDs. One in three developed colitis when fed either low-fat diets or meals high in polyunsaturated fats. This jumped to nearly two in three in those fed a diet high in saturated milk fats, which are in many processed foods.
***
more: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-18432652
abstract, PPV full: http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/vaop/ncurrent/full/nature11225.html

[no_hypocrisy]

1. Is it milk across the board or is it limited to cow's milk?

As opposed to goat's milk?

[BadgerKid]

4. I suspect all animal milks are fatty.

Fat and protein -- everything offspring needs to grow.

[LiberalEsto]

2. I CAN"T HAZ CHEEZBURGER?

[HuckleB]

3. Looks like a high-quality preliminary study.

I just wish the press would point out what that means to the public.

[LeftishBrit]

5. Interesting, but there have been so many claims that came to nothing that I'm a bit cautious

Mice and humans are pretty different in many ways, including their normal diet.

A very high saturated fat diet isn't good for you anyway; and in some people who already have IBD, high fat foods can aggravate the symptoms - but I don't think causality is proved here.