Doctor: "This study is the first of its kind to prove in humans that preservation of an 'ideal' gut microbial composition can be used at a later time point to achieve metabolic benefits."

BEER-SHEVA, Israel — Over the years, we've seen a slew of outlandish ways that dieters try to facilitate and maintain weight loss. A new theory from Ben-Gurion University of the Negev surely takes the proverbial cake. Researchers say that taking frozen microbiome capsules created using one's own feces while dieting may help limit weight regain in the future.

The concept takes the old adage "you are what you eat" to an entirely new level. Yet scientists say there's good science behind the cringeworthy capsule. The key, however, is using this unconventional method after already losing weight. As many dieters know, keeping those pounds from coming back can be an even greater struggle than losing them.

"It is well known that most weight-loss dieters reach their lowest body weight after 4-6 months, and are then challenged by the plateau or regain phase, despite continued dieting," says Dr. Shai. a member of the School of Public Health, in a release.

Researchers came to these conclusions after a groundbreaking 14-month clinical trial held in Israel. At the beginning of the weight loss trial, a group of participants who were either obese or had high cholesterol were randomly separated into three dietary groups: healthy dietary guidelines, Mediterranean diet, and green-Mediterranean diet. After all the subjects had followed these regimens for six months, they submitted fecal samples that were turned into frozen, opaque and odorless microbiome capsules.

Next, subjects were again randomly assigned to one of two groups. One group received 100 legitimate capsules containing their own microbiome. Another group was given placebos.

BEER-SHEVA, Israel — Over the years, we've seen a slew of outlandish ways that dieters try to facilitate and maintain weight loss. A new theory from Ben-Gurion University of the Negev surely takes the proverbial cake. Researchers say that taking frozen microbiome capsules created using one's own feces while dieting may help limit weight regain in the future.

The concept takes the old adage "you are what you eat" to an entirely new level. Yet scientists say there's good science behind the cringeworthy capsule. The key, however, is using this unconventional method after already losing weight. As many dieters know, keeping those pounds from coming back can be an even greater struggle than losing them.

"It is well known that most weight-loss dieters reach their lowest body weight after 4-6 months, and are then challenged by the plateau or regain phase, despite continued dieting," says Dr. Shai. a member of the School of Public Health, in a release.

Researchers came to these conclusions after a groundbreaking 14-month clinical trial held in Israel. At the beginning of the weight loss trial, a group of participants who were either obese or had high cholesterol were randomly separated into three dietary groups: healthy dietary guidelines, Mediterranean diet, and green-Mediterranean diet. After all the subjects had followed these regimens for six months, they submitted fecal samples that were turned into frozen, opaque and odorless microbiome capsules.

Next, subjects were again randomly assigned to one of two groups. One group received 100 legitimate capsules containing their own microbiome. Another group was given placebos.