Micronutrients & recovery
Obese individuals possess a gut microbiota composition (higher Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio) that extracts more calories from indigestible dietary polysaccharides than lean microbiota, contributing to positive energy balance.
Your gut bacteria may be more efficient at extracting calories from fiber and complex carbs than a lean person's. This isn't an excuse, but a factor to consider. Focus on whole foods that support a diverse microbiome, as weight loss itself has been shown to shift this ratio back toward a leaner profile.
obese mice had more fermentation end-products and fewer calories remaining in their faeces than lean mice. Thus, the bacteria in obese mice seemed to assist their host in extracting extra calories from ingested food that could then be used as energy.
Why this rating
Based on observational human data and mouse fecal analysis; the paper notes 'few data that substantiate the predicted increased caloric extraction in obese humans'.
Source
Understanding and Addressing the Epidemic of Obesity: An Energy Balance Perspective
James O. Hill · Endocrine Reviews · 2006
DOI 10.1210/er.2006-0032
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