Genetics Play a Big Role in Obesity
There are a lot of factors that may cause obesity but one of the most common is genetics. It is believed that genes play a major part in about 50 percent of the obesity cases. Actually, just one particular gene called CD38 might be the reason why some people become obese.
Researches from the Mayo Clinic found an explanation why some people who consume excessive calories do not put on a lot of weight. They made laboratory mouse models to study this and discovered that the absence of CD38 gene is the reason why. In the study, the mice on high-fat diets did not put on weight when the gene was absent, but became obese when the gene was present. The researchers saw that the body fat of the mice with CD38 nearly quadrupled and the body weight of the mice practically doubled. And the mice showed signs of glucose intolerance after about eight weeks of being on a high-fat diet.
This is one of the signs of diabetes onset. This group of mice only lived for about four to six months while the other group lived for about 12 months. The other group of mice had no changes in their body weight and fat even though they also had the high-fat diet. The mice in this group were thinner, burned more energy and seemed healthier. The results of the study proved that the absence of CD38 has a protective effect against high-fat, diet-induced obesity. This discovery is critical in understanding and developing new treatments for obesity.
Although it would be quite impossible for obese people to personally remove the CD38 gene, what they could do first is to find out if there is a history of obesity in their family. They should be conscious of their family’s medical history, especially the diseases like diabetes, which can be linked to obesity. For those who have a family history of obesity, they should not give in to this disease and start making a lifestyle change. With this, determination and will power is needed.
Begin your weight loss program by making changes in your eating habits. Cut the extra calories and fat off your diet. Go for leaner cuts of meat, opt for low- or non-fat dairy goods, lessen your carbohydrate intake, basically do an overhaul in your diet. Eat the right amount of meal servings, eat in moderation and do not overindulge. Learn to say no to late-night binges. You should also try to avoid sweetened drinks and alcohol. What you can do though, is combine your diet with natural weight-loss supplements in order to successfully lose those unwanted pounds.
Another important thing to do is to exercise whether you are already obese or not. It will keep your energy level and metabolism up and will also tone your body. Even if you just do 10 minutes worth of exercise a day, you will still burn calories and eventually be on your way to a slimmer and healthier you.
