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Why weight loss plans go belly up
Belly fat tissue produces a hunger-stimulating hormone that also triggers the development of fat cells, say scientists from the Lawson Health Research Institute in Canada
Dr Kaiping Yang, and colleagues, discovered that the hormone NPY (Neuropeptide Y) is produced by abdominal fat tissue, when previously, it was believed to only be produced by the brain.
Traditionally, it was thought that one of the main reasons why overweight people eat more food is because their brains produce the hormone NPY in excessive amounts. NPY is the most potent appetite-stimulating hormone known, sending signals to the individual that they are constantly hungry.
However, Dr Yang has provided evidence that in obese rats NPY is also produced by abdominal fat itself.
A fat cell can't replicate itself, but the researchers found NPY increases numbers of fat cells by stimulating the replication of fat cell precursor cells, which then change into fat cells.
Yang says “this may lead to a vicious cycle where NPY produced in the brain causes you to eat more and therefore gain more fat around your middle, and then that fat produces more NYP hormone which leads to even more fat cells.”
Being overweight, regardless of where the fat is located, is unhealthy. However, because of where it is located on the body, and its byproducts, abdominal fat is known to be the most dangerous. People predisposed to the apple shape are at a higher risk for heart disease, Type 2 diabetes, hypertension and some cancers.
Next the researchers plan to find out whether NPY produced by fat is released into the body’s circulatory system. “We want to know if NPY could potentially be transported in the blood to the brain where it in turn has an impact on the brain to stimulate feelings of hunger,” says Yang.
If the researchers find that NPY is in fact transported in the blood circulation then it may be possible to develop a simple blood test to detect increased levels of NPY.
“If you can detect NPY early and identify those at risk for abdominal obesity we can then target therapy to turn off NPY. It would be much easier to use drugs to prevent obesity than to treat the diseases caused by obesity.”
The team's finding were published in the Federation of American Societies of Experimental Biology journal.
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Reader comments
The preventatives to excess weight gain and retention of weight are eating a medium sized plate of food at meal times and not eating between the 3 meals a day. If a regular sized chocolate bar is desired then it should be once a week. The drinking a glass of tap water at least 6 to 8 times a day in normal day temperatures and more in hot weather has hugh benefits. The key to implementing the weight loss and thus toning the body is daily exercise even if walking. If it is the only exercise one has time to do, walk quick and for at least 20 minutes. Go for it, all you can loose is weight! Good health. Anne. RGN
Posted by: Margaret Anne Sweatmore | 08/05/2008 17:06:54
Interesting stuff - but what are the preventatives?
Posted by: Sandy | 24/04/2008 21:35:47
Information on this site is for interest only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. You should consult your own doctor about any specific health concerns.