Reducing Inflammation to Help Solve Obesity
Monday, March 17, 2008
- Byron Richards, CCN ndto
Obesity is a complex problem. Research into genetics and gene-related pathways is improving our understanding of the issue and opening new doors for solution. Recent research on twins is shedding light as to exactly which gene switches are malfunctioning as a result of obesity. By “throwing the switches” into the proper position, which can be done, you can much more readily get in a position to lose weight or effectively maintain a healthy weight. To understand what the twins research means I will place it in context. True genetic adaptation takes place over tens of thousands of years. For example, one new study shows that you are genetically predisposed to obesity if your ancestors came from Northern climates. Likewise, running is a genetic evolutionary event that is wired for fat burning. If you don’t run you’ll have a much harder time turning on your natural fat burning genes. While other genetic risk factors for obesity are sure to exist, my point is that these take tens of thousands of years to evolve. In comparison, another problem is prenatal and postnatal programming of the nervous system. In this case numerous factors come to bear on the growing fetus, and along with events that occur during the first few weeks of life, produce “nerve imprints” that can have a life-long impact on obesity risk. I discuss these in more depth in my Prenatal Nutrition and Postpartum Nutrition sections of our website. The important point here is that imprints made on the developing nervous system are more like changes in “hardware” than “software” – like writing messages on a blank chalkboard that will determine subconscious behavior for years to come. Poor fetal programming may have an adverse affect on several generations. The interesting thing about twins is that their genetic history is the same, and most often their prenatal and postnatal programming is also similar. It is common that twins are the same weight within a few pounds. Thus, when it is found that one twin is more overweight than the other it creates a rare opportunity to examine what the differences are that caused the problem. This means that under the influence of environmental and dietary factors various gene switches will be operating differently, even though genetics is the same. This can help everyone to understand exactly what goes wrong that causes obesity. In a study published this week, a detailed genetic analysis of 14 different pairs of twins, wherein one twin was on average 33 lbs (20%) heavier than the other, has helped clarify the nature of the obesity problem. The researchers found that the obese twins had more abdominal fat, more fatty build up in the liver, larger fat cells, insulin resistance, and low adiponectin Protein hormone that modulates metabolism including glucose and fatty acid catabolism. High levels are associated with low body fat. . A detailed genomic analysis was performed, identifying 19 specific metabolic pathways that were inappropriately activated. 15 of these pathways involved immune-generated inflammation. The most over-activated gene (5.9 times normal) involved the recruitment of macrophages into stored fat. As I point out in another recent posting this problem is directly linked to the production of more fat cells – locking in obesity. As different from the simplistic ideas of exercising more and eating less – this data shows beyond the shadow of any doubt that resistant obesity is an inflammatory problem. The researchers went on to prove that this set of inflammatory problems, which includes a build up of fat in all the wrong places, actually clogs metabolic function of cells. Cell engines (mitochondria Organelle found in cells that produce ATP or chemical energy. Also involved with cell signaling, cellular differentiation, cell death, cell growth, along with heme and steroid synthesis. ) within stored were found to have less DNA in their mitochondria Organelle found in cells that produce ATP or chemical energy. Also involved with cell signaling, cellular differentiation, cell death, cell growth, along with heme and steroid synthesis. , indicating a seriously reduced ability to perform normally (meaning a lessened ability to burn calories). Another metabolic problem was identified for the first time: the inability to naturally use branch chain amino acids in metabolism – resulting in higher blood levels of insulin that helped to lock in insulin resistance and set the stage for diabetes risk. These are key findings that help pinpoint precise “gene switch” problems faced by a majority of people who are overweight and can’t get their weight off simply by exercising and eating better. In essence, the problem is one of “sprained fat,” similar to the idea of a sprained ankle. Unfortunately, the types of gene switches that are inappropriately stuck in the on position tend to self-perpetuate the problem – meaning an overweight person has great difficulty ever recovering from sprained fat and therefore has a compromised ability to burn calories as fuel. It’s like being stuck with a metabolism that just limps along and can hardly keep up. Solutions: As always, consistently doing everything right the majority of days in a month is the only way to get anywhere as time goes by. A clear path to improvement is now plain to take for those who wish to lose weight in a healthy way and keep it off. Share:
Read More: Immunity News, Infant Health News, Pregnancy News, Weight Management News Tags: Leptin Control Pack®, Leptinal® Other Weight Tips Dietary Supplements for Weight Loss, Thursday, April 16, 2009 Dietary supplements are one of the best ways to naturally support your metabolism to run more efficiently, and when combined with a healthy diet and proper eating pattern (the Leptin Diet®) and exercise, you create an opportunity to burn calories in a more optimal way. The problem for many consumers is knowing which dietary supplements are likely to be of help, especially considering the fact that numerous weight loss scams saturate the WEB, radio ads, and TV ads and infomercials. The Failure Empire: Bob Greene Rakes It In, Oprah Fails, Tuesday, January 27, 2009 The scene is comic: Bob Greene sitting next to Oprah on her TV show, kicking off the New Year, as Oprah tries to explain to her viewing audience why she gained forty pounds – again. Not once did she turn to Greene and say, “Bob, I guess your program is just a bit too hard to follow, something must be wrong with it.” Top Leptin and Weight Loss Stories of the Past Year, Sunday, January 25, 2009 Leptin continues to be the key to weight management and healthy weight loss. Below is a handy index so you can quickly look up articles of interest to you. To see the full article, click on the headline. The first three links are basic articles explaining leptin. Then there is a section of feature length articles that explain leptin in the context of various important health issues. Following that is the interesting news stories of the past year. Numerous scientific references are embedded within articles as links. Leptin, Thyroid, and Weight Loss, Thursday, January 15, 2009 It is very common that individuals who are overweight have a majority of the symptoms associated with a hypothyroid-like condition. This is especially true for those who have a history of yo-yo dieting or have difficulty losing weight by cutting back on calories and trying to exercise more. Jump Start Your Weight Loss, Sunday, January 11, 2009 It’s time now to clear out the holiday sludge, get your appetite back under control, and kick your metabolism into gear. There is no better way to do this than my favorite quick weight loss plan, a modified diet plan that is high in quality protein and fiber. Fiber, Leptin, and Weight Loss, Saturday, January 10, 2009 Dietary fiber is one of the fundamentals of a healthy diet. In terms of using fiber to support weight management, I recommend 35 – 50 grams of fiber per day (men on the higher side), based on information presented in this article. A lack of adequate dietary fiber will eventually stall any weight-loss efforts. Byron’s Top Five Tips to Avoid Holiday Weight Gain, Friday, December 19, 2008 It’s a tough time of year to stay on a weight loss program. Read Byron’s top tips to help you keep weight off! Tips to Solve Common Weight Loss Issues, Tuesday, May 20, 2008 The Leptin Diet, consistent exercise, a healthy lifestyle, and stress management skills are the foundation for successful weight loss. In many cases dietary supplements can be used to augment various metabolic problems that otherwise slow or impede progress. The following is a list of the typical challenges you are most likely to encounter while trying to lose weight, along with the most common reason for the problem and the basic solution that usually helps. Detoxification During Weight Loss, Thursday, May 08, 2008 Every person in American is being exposed to a wide variety of fat soluble toxins that tend to bio-accumulate in their fat as they get older. Managing your detoxification systems properly as you lose weight can be an important determining factor in how much progress you make and whether of not you reach an optimal goal weight. How to Control Food Cravings, Sunday, April 20, 2008 Staying on a healthy diet is based on your ability to stay in charge of what goes into your mouth. As most people know, this is easier said than done. Just about every person needing to lose weight knows what they are supposed to be eating. When you do it right you don’t have to worry about eating too much because you simply don’t want to. Reducing Inflammation to Help Solve Obesity, Monday, March 17, 2008 A new study involving twins helps to document the precise nature of inflammation as a major causative factor in obesity. This information can help you focus on what you really need to work on to improve the situation. Major Blood Sugar Discovery Validates Leptin Diet, Sunday, March 09, 2008 Problems with elevated blood sugar lead to obesity, difficulty losing weight, diabetes, accelerating aging (due to caramelization of body tissues), and a host of other serious problems. Researchers have now identified the switch that must work right in order to correctly maintain normal function of blood sugar metabolism. Following the Leptin Diet naturally promotes fitness and correct function of this switch. Tips on Dealing with Abdominal Fat and a Sluggish Liver, Wednesday, February 13, 2008 It has been known for some time that an expanding waistline is directly reflective of improper fat accumulation in the liver. Instead of looking like a lean cut of beef the liver looks more like a slab of bacon. Even worse, this bacon fat “cooks” under the influence of free radicals and can eventually turn the liver crispy – as happened to Mickey Mantle (alcohol excess makes the problem worse). This improper accumulation of fat in the liver throws a monkey wrench into metabolism and is a significant factor in almost all difficult weight loss problems. Protein and Fiber – the Foundation for Healthy Weight Loss, Monday, January 28, 2008 We are now into the new year and by this time most people who had their typical New Year’s weight-loss resolution are meeting with various levels of frustration. Getting stuck in a low-energy, excess eating mode is a classic sign of getting out of harmony with leptin. My best tip for getting out of this rut quickly is a temporary high protein/high fiber diet... Tame Your Cravings with Pine Nut Oil, Wednesday, January 02, 2008 Each year countless Americans make the New Years resolution to lose weight and each year the best dieting efforts of many are met with frustration and mediocre, if any, success. Public health pundits keep preaching to exercise more and eat less – a message everyone already knows. What can you do? Body Temperature and Thyroid Problems, Saturday, November 03, 2007 When your thyroid hormone is working properly inside cells you will make 65% energy and 35% heat as you burn calories for fuel. Thyroid hormone is governing your basal metabolic rate, orchestrating the idling speed at which all cells make energy and thus heat. A classic symptom of poor thyroid function is being too cold. And conversely, a classic symptom of hyperthyroidism is being too hot (making too much heat). However, many people with slow thyroid are too hot, a seeming paradox that I will explain shortly. What is Thyroid-Related Fatigue?, Friday, November 02, 2007 Energy is the backbone of life. All systems in your body need energy to function properly. How you produce and distribute energy is complex; thyroid hormone function has a major impact on all of your energy systems. However, not all fatigue or tiredness is due to thyroid malfunction. How do you tell the difference? 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