The Inheritable Lean Gene

Why is it that some women are thinner than others? Is there always a friend that eats whatever she wants and remains stick thin? Recently studies conducted by Professor Gregory Livshits has proven that a women’s waistline is less likely to depend on what she eats or how much she exercises, it all comes down to her genes.

Like eye colour, smiles and certain features your weight is also an inheritable trait. Dr. Livshits conducted his studies on over 3.000 middle aged women in the UK; the women he used were either fraternal or identical twins. The total lean mass of each woman were measured, from the figures fathered Dr. Livshits compared them to markers in their genes. From this experiment the results show that over 50% of the time body size can be determined by examining the genes.

Like all things there comes the good and the bad. A females’ weight is dependent on their genes. Although some women still choose to go to try and change their weight. Women without the “lean gene” will almost always find it more difficult to stay relatively slim. It is quite complex to study weight gain as natural factors such as aging changes results. To this day research associated with genetics and a human’s body lean mass has been quite unpopular.

Reference
Tel Aviv University (2008, April 2). The Lean Gene: Thinness Is An Inheritable Trait. ScienceDaily. Retrieved April 3, 2008, from http://www.sciencedaily.com­ /releases/2008/04/080401120505.htm

Student Number: 41725726

The FAT...

Obesity, a problem that stares up at around 2 billion people worldwide, is rapidly becoming an epidemic. Now permanently etched in the lounge room, with the recent release of the television series “the Biggest Loser”, ironically encouraging us to sit on the couch and watch people loose weight as we gain it. However recent studies have proven that it may not be a case of will power rather genetics and stress that cause the muffin over our jeans.

UK researchers may well have uncovered a gene variant that could explain why some people are able to dine daily at various fast food outlets without packing on the pounds. The gene in question is known as FTO and while its exact biological mechanism was unable to be uncovered, it was found that a strong link existed between this FTO and hypothalamus, which regulates appetite. The influence of this genetic variant depends on if you have inherited one or two copies. A study was conducted on 38, 759 Britons, Finns and Italians and it was found a person with 2 copies is likely to weight on average 3kgs heavier than a person with zero inheritance. Likewise those with 1 copy weight around 1.2 kgs heavier. So is this FTO genetic variant disrupting our appetite?

Similarly various studies have been conducted involving the protein hormone, Leptin which directly effects body weight, reproduction and metabolism. Recent studies with obese and non obese humans proved positive in the relationship of leptin concentrations to BMI (Body Mass Index). Much like FTO, hypothalamic centres are responsible for the effectiveness of leptin and it has been found that one way of regulating this hormone is during sleep. Research conducted by Eve van Cauter, PhD, a diabetes researcher with the University of Chicago proved that Leptin levels usually rise during sleep, however a lack of sleep disruptes various hormone in the nervous systems directly effecting the levels of leptin produced. As a result our brain is no longer aware of the nutritional index of our body resulting in over indulgence.

There is no substitute for a healthy diet and exercise as means of loosing weight, however studies show that some of us have a genetic disposition that make it harder to loose weight than others. Unfortunately this is unavoidable, yet for others, it may be a case of a simple lifestyle readjustment to loose the love handles for good.

References:

http://science.nationalgeographic.com/science/health-and-human-body/human-body/fat-costs.html?nav=FEATURES
Republished from the pages of National Geographic magazineWritten by Cathy NewmanAugust 2004


http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/67666.php
Written by: Catharine PaddockWriter: Medical News Today

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2004/11/09/health/webmd/main654548.shtml
By Jeanie Lerche DavisReviewed by Brunilda Nazario, MD© 2004, WebMD Inc. All rights reserved.