Inherited Obesity May Still Be Diet Related

 Obesity / Weight Loss / Fitness  No Responses »
Dec 232011
 

Some people blame obesity on their genes – for good reason. There is some evidence that genetics play a role in obesity and weight gain, but “inherited obesity” may actually be more a product of the Western diet that most Americans eat. A recent study published in Journal of Lipid Research took a closer look at this issue – and came to some interesting conclusions.

 

Inherited Obesity and the Western Diet                       

 

There’s no doubt that the Western diet is high in fat, but it also has the wrong fat ratios. Polyunsaturated fats, which are healthier from a cardiac standpoint than saturated fatty acids, are made up of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. The typical Western diet has a very high ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acids. Studies show this is less healthy than having a lower ratio – and it also increases whole body inflammation, which is a risk factor for some diseases.

 

This is one reason why more people are supplementing their diets with omega-3 fatty acids – to help reduce the inflammation which can lead to diseases like heart disease and cancer. The ideal ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acids is four to one. Needless to say, the typical Western diet has a far greater ratio with some Americans consuming diets that have 40 to 1 up to a 200 to 1 ratio of omega-6 to omega-3

 

Inherited Obesity and ALA Deficiency

 

Researchers tested the effects of eating a Western diet on mice over several generations by giving them a diet high in the omega-6 fatty acid, alpha-linoleic-acid, or ALA. The mice were allowed to eat as much of this ALA-rich diet as they wanted – to mimic a typical Western diet. On this diet, the rate of obesity in these mice gradually increased over four generations of breeding.

 

What accounted for this increase? Researchers believe the high omega-6 diet these mice ate caused changes in genes that regulate growth of fat cells, so that the effects would be passed down from generation to generation – thereby accounting for some cases of “inherited obesity”.

 

Inherited Obesity and Omega-6 Fatty Acids: The Bottom Line

 

It’s an interesting concept that diet could not only cause weight gain in an animal, but the effects could be passed on to future generations through changes in genes that control fat tissue growth. Does the same apply to humans? Hopefully, future research will determine this – but one thing is certain. A Western diet not only increases the risk of obesity, but diabetes and heart disease as well. It’s not the best choice for overall health.

 

References:

 

NutraingredientsUSAwebsite. “Insufficient ALA could be linked to obesity trend”

Can Bacteria in Your Gut Cause Obesity?

 Obesity  No Responses »
Dec 192011
 

Can the bacteria that live in your gut be a cause of obesity and excess body weight? It’s not as far fetched as it might seem. An intriguing new study shows that eating a high fat, high sugar diet could select for certain types of “bad” bacteria and when these bacteria are “turned on” it increases the risk of being obese.

 

Gut Bacteria and the Risk of Being Obese: A Study         

 

To look at the association between gut bacteria and the risk of obesity, researchers transplanted human gut bacteria into mice. Once they started feeding the mice a typical Western diet high in sugar and fat, the bacterial colonies in the mice’s intestines underwent a shift to favor certain bacteria. The type of bacteria that were favored were ones that have been associated with obesity in prior animal studies. When they transplanted this new mix of bacteria into mice that had been fed a low fat, primarily plant-based diet, these mice also went on to gain body fat.

 

Gut Bacteria: A Cause of Obesity and Excess Body Fat?

 

What does this mean in terms of human risk of being obese? Although this is an animal study and results could be different in humans, it suggests that a high fat, high sugar, typically Westernized diet may cause shifts in intestinal bacteria to types that process and break down sugars and other food components differently – indirectly contributing to the risk of being obese. Other studies have shown that carrying excess weight itself can alter gut bacteria and that manipulating the types of bacteria found in the intestines might be a way to lower the risk of obesity.

 

Reduce the Risk of Obesity with Probiotics?

 

This leads to the question of how this can be used to reduce the risk of obesity in humans. Of course, further studies are needed to show whether or not this holds up in humans as it does in mice. If it does, obesity might be treated in one of two ways – by encouraging people to stay away from the typical high fat, high sugar diet which not only adds calories, but also alters gut bacteria in a bad way. The other possibility is to use probiotic formulations to colonize the intestines with “good” bacteria that are less likely to contribute to obesity.

 

An interesting study showed that pregnant women who took probiotics starting in their first trimester lowered their risk of being obese after childbirth. The risk of central obesity was the most dramatically reduced – the kind where fat is deposited in the tummy and abdominal region. This further suggests that the type of bacteria living in the intestines may play an important role in the risk of being obese.

 

Gut Bacteria and the Risk of Being Obese: The Bottom Line?

 

Certainly more studies are needed to confirm these results in humans, but probiotics have a variety of other health benefits including the potential to boost immune health and lower the risk of some intestinal problems. Why not do it the natural way and eat more foods with active probiotic cultures such as yogurt? Some studies have shown that the calcium in yogurt also helps with weight loss. While you’re at it, try to limit processed foods that are often so high in fat and sugar. Taking these simple steps will almost surely lower your risk of being obese.

Can a Cleanse Diet eliminate stomach bacteria?

If you suffer from stomach or bowel problems you are not alone, about 1 in 4 people living in North America have some form of bowel or stomach disorder or condition. More people than ever before are suffering with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), lactose intolerance, inflammatory bowel disease, constipation and a range of other conditions.

Often eating smaller meals more often can help as it takes the burden off the digestive system, giving it time to function properly. Drinking plenty of water and regular exercise have also been shown to provide relief.

Prebiotics and probiotics are effective for many people as they provide healthy bacteria for your gut. You can purchase them as a supplement or get them in certain fruits, vegetables and legumes.

Nutritional cleansing is an effective way to remove toxins and impurities from the body and give the body the nutrients it needs to ensure the digestive system is operating effectively. Many people suffering from constipation, bloating and other minor digestion problems have experienced improvements during their Isagenix cleanse.

The Grapefruit Diet

 Diabetes, Obesity  No Responses »
Dec 172011
 

Since about the eighties people have been using the grapefruit diet, and although it does work it isn’t for everybody. Grapefruit forms a core part of the Grapefruit Diet. It is a wonderful fruit that contain simple carbohydrate with high fiber. The fruit has no fat, low in calories and sodium, and is packed with vitamin C. For those who would like to reduce their weight, it is believed that grapefruit can reduces your appetite and therefore promoting weight loss. Latest research, carried out by a group of scientists at the Nutrition and Medical Research Centre in San Diego, America, has found that by simply adding grapefruit and grapefruit juice to your diet can really aid weight loss.

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