When we can't lose weight, we tend to want to blame something outside of our control.
Could it be related to the microbiota – the bacteria and other organisms – that colonise your gut?
Now, two experts from the University of New South Wales reveal exactly the trillions of microorganisms work.
Here, in a piece for The Conversation, they explain how the bacteria in the gut affect our eating habits and weight.
YOU ARE WHAT YOU EAT
Our gut harbours some trillion microorganisms.
These are key in harvesting energy from our food, regulating our immune function, and keeping the lining of our gut healthy.
The composition of our gut microbiota is partly determined by our genes but can also be influenced by lifestyle factors such as our diet, alcohol intake and exercise, as well as medications.