Adipose Gene May Control Body Fat
A single gene, called adipose, may control the amount of fat tissue in your body. A team from the University of Texas published their findings in the Cell Metabolism journal.
The studies were conducted on fruit flies, worms, and mice, but humans also carry the same adipose gene. In fact, the gene was discovered over 50 years ago, but researchers didn't know its exact function until now:
Lead researcher Dr Jonathan Graff said: "From worms to mammals, this gene controls fat formation.
"It could explain why so many people struggle to lose weight, and suggests an entirely new direction for developing medical treatments that address the current epidemic of diabetes and obesity.
"Maybe if you could affect this gene, even just a little bit, you might have a beneficial effect on fat."
The team manipulated the gene in different ways at various times, and their findings suggested the adipose gene is directly responsible for telling the body to either store or burn fat.
For example, mice with increased adipose activity were leaner, had diabetes-resistant fat cells, and had better insulin and blood-sugar responses, even though they ate as much or more than the control group.
Perhaps more interesting: The adipose gene activity can be turned up or down, as opposed to simply on or off, which could make it easier for doctors and drugs to manipulate.
But, don't get too excited yet. Though this discovery certainly looks promising, scientists say we are still years away from human adipose testing.
So, in the meantime, you're going to have to stop searching for the "magic pill" and get your butt on the magic treadmill!
Dr. David Haslam, clinical director of the National Obesity Forum, said it best:
"I don't want patients coming to me saying: 'It's not what I eat, it's all in my genes'," he said.
"Don't give my patients another excuse to be victims."
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The thing that controls body fat the most is your mouth! Keep the fork away from your gullet and you'll be able to control is as much as YOU want!