> The reason I react negatively so strongly to stuff like this is that I fear it...gives people an idea that there is probably something really out of their con

> The reason I react negatively so strongly to stuff like this is that I fear it...gives people an idea that there is probably something really out of their control that's causing them to gain weight. I totally get this. But to me, even if you accept completely that your digestive microbial environment can change how you lose/gain weight, that doesn't take it out of your control - after all, that particular bacterial milieu is a direct result of what the individual is putting into their body. There have been tons of studies already about this particular area, that digestive choices have a direct impact on digestive biome. I do think it makes it more complicated, but I think obesity really is that complicated - our choices have effects we don't yet understand, and some of that may have to do with being poor stewards of our gut bacteria. > Meditation (among other things) seems to have had a significant positive impact on my digestive system Same, as well as other areas of my life. It's why the mind/body feedback loop fascinates me so much! Great chat, thanks much. Have a good 2017!