by Louis J. Aronne, MD, FACP, and Kathy Keenan Isoldi, MS, RD, CDE

The increased prevalence of obesity has undoubtedly been influenced by a multitude of factors. Some factors are obvious, such as an increased consumption of calories and decreased usage of energy. There are, however, more subtle instigators in the development of obesity. For example, sleep debt, a shift in the population’s ethnic composition, and medications, among other factors, have shown an association with the increased body weight of our population.1 Scientists have recently presented data suggesting two new, unconventional culprits that may affect weight gain.2,3 The type of microbes that inhabit the human gut and exposure to certain viruses have emerged as potential catalysts in the development of obesity.2,4

Read the rest of this article »

by Cynthia K. Buffington, PhD

INTRODUCTION

As discussed in the recent October issue of Bariatric Times, gastric bypass surgery may enhance alcohol sensitivity by altering the rate that alcohol is absorbed or metabolized. Such changes in alcohol sensitivity and clearance significantly increase the risk for alcohol toxicity and its deleterious consequences (i.e., liver disease, cardiomyopathy, loss of muscle mass and strength, neuromuscular and cognitive defects, gastritis, pancreatitis, acid reflux, and specific vitamin deficiencies).1- 7 Alcohol use may also adversely affect the health of the bariatric patient by increasing the risk for hypoglycemia and its potentially negative influence on cognitive function and neuromuscular control. Read the rest of this article »