A study suggested that eating habits might not be as complicated as once thought.
In March, the Centers for Disease Control made the announcement that the second leading cause of death in the United States was obesity. On average, 64 percent of U.S. adults who were aged 20 years and over were considered either obese or overweight, with a body mass index (BMI) that exceeded 25.
In the movie, "Super Size Me," filmmaker Morgan Spurlock gorged on solely fast food for one month and endangered his liver in the process. While the intentions behind the film were supposed to provide insight and entertainment, the American Council on Science and Health, a consumer institution that focuses on nutrition and health issues, stated the movie downplayed the seriousness of the obesity epidemic.
They also claimed the film placed all the blame on the fast food industry, rather than on individual responsibility.
Experts said that untreated obesity led to higher risks of heart disease, diabetes and stroke. Through the discovery of leptin, a hormone found in fat tissue, scientists have gained a better understanding of obesity at the molecular level.
A research team discovered that leptin changed the physical structure and functions of the brain, particularly the hypothalamus.
In a study, the feeding activity and the brain functions were observed of normal weight mice and obese mice that were void of the leptin hormone. When the larger mice were given leptin, two specific neurons were affected. One of the neurons called the neuropeptide Y (NPY) awakened the food intake reactor and caused body weight to increase.
The other neuron, proopiomelanocortin (POMC), produced the opposite effect.
Researchers believed that these changes would alter the eating habits of the animals due to the response of POMC when leptin was present and overeating that occurred when leptin was absent. Researchers also stated that leptin acted as a signal to the animal that it was full.
Results from the study on mice have raised the possibilities of testing the effects of leptin in obese people. The results also raised questions regarding the differences of brain wiring in obese and lean people and whether or not it could provide an explanation as to why people were obese or lean.
Until testing is performed on humans, researchers have recommended that issues such as diet, food availability, exercise and nutrition should be addressed as a way to find out about the impact of foods on the hormone levels and risk of disease.
Science Central May 18, 2004
A great overview of some of the exciting research on leptin, which is a hormone every bit as important as insulin. I will be discussing much more about this important topic as a good friend of mine, Dr. Ron Rosedale, will be publishing the Rosedale Diet in September and I will feature major interviews with him very shortly.
Dr. Rosedale is the person who helped me understand the importance of insulin nearly 10 years ago.
Insulin levels are very closely related to leptin levels in your body, which means keeping them at optimal levels is crucial to avoiding both diabetes and obesity.
Measuring insulin levels is far easier to routinely perform as they are far less expensive to run than leptin levels and, in my estimation, are a more potent risk factor than leptin levels as well.
Normally, any fasting insulin level above 10 is cause for concern. I prefer to see insulin levels below five and ideally below three or four.
Insulin is the key to the vast majority of chronic illness. Fortunately, it is the variable most easily influenced by healthy eating and exercise.
However, few doctors really encourage it as aggressively as they should. It is an incredibly powerful tool. I am personally appreciative of this tool as without exercise I would be a type 2 diabetic. Running 20 miles a week seems to keep my blood sugar in a nearly ideal range.
But, when I reduce my miles to five or less, my blood sugar gradually rises to the diabetic range.
One does not have to run 20 miles per week, but most diabetics will benefit from one hour of intense exercise at least five times per week, and more if their blood sugar is currently out of control.
Related Articles:
Leptin May Control "Sweet Tooth" Another Marker to See If You Are at Risk for Heart Disease Exercise Lowers So-called 'Fat' Hormone Lower Your Obesity Hormone with Diet and Exercise Mysterious Hormone's Role in Successful Weight Loss The Scientific Definition of Obesity and its Dangers
Leptin May Control "Sweet Tooth"
Another Marker to See If You Are at Risk for Heart Disease
Exercise Lowers So-called 'Fat' Hormone
Lower Your Obesity Hormone with Diet and Exercise
Mysterious Hormone's Role in Successful Weight Loss
The Scientific Definition of Obesity and its Dangers