title: Hypothesis: bacteria control host appetites.
abstract: To help investigate the relationship between inflammatory and other diseases and the composition of the gut microbiota, we propose that a positive-feedback loop exists between the preferences of the host for a particular dietary regimen, the composition of the gut microbiota that depends on this regimen, and the preferences of the host as influenced by the gut microbiota. We cite evidence in support of this hypothesis and make testable predictions.
authors.affiliation: Theoretical Biology Unit, EA3829, Faculty of Science, University of Rouen, Mont Saint Aignan, France. victor.norris@univ-rouen.fr
authors.forename: Vic
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Norris
authors.forename: Franck
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Molina
authors.forename: Andrew T
authors.initials: AT
authors.lastname: Gewirtz
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001066:Appetite / Q000502:physiology*; D001419:Bacteria / Q000378:metabolism*; D025461:Feedback, Physiological / Q000502:physiology*; D007249:Inflammation / Q000378:metabolism*; D007422:Intestines / Q000294:innervation* / Q000382:microbiology*