Calories
may be only part of the weight loss equation
In
a recent report in the The FASEB Journal, French scientists show that
impairments to a gene known to be responsible for our internal body clocks,
called "Rev-Erb alpha," leads to excessive weight gain and related
health problems. This provides new insights into the importance of proper
alignment between the body's internal timing and natural environmental light
cycles to prevent or limit excessive weight gain and the problems this weight
gain causes.
According
to Etienne Challet, Ph.D., a researcher involved in the work from the
Department of Neurobiology of Rhythms at the Institute of Cellular and
Integrative Neurosciences at the University of Strasbourg in Pascal, France,
"It is now clear that impairment of daily rhythms such as shift-work,
exposure to artificial lighting, or jet-lag has multiple adverse effects on
human health, every effort should be made to maintain or restore normal
temporal organization and to avoid potentially disruptive behaviors such as
nocturnal meals or light exposure at night."
To
make this discovery, Challet and colleagues studied two groups of mice. One
group was normal and the other group lacked the Rev-Erb alpha gene. In the mice
lacking the Rev-Erb alpha gene, it was determined that they became obese and
hyperglycaemic even if they ate the same quantity of food at the same time as
normal mice. Further scientific investigation showed that when the Rev-Erb
alpha-deficient mice were compared to the normal mice, there was a major
difference in the way Rev-Erb alpha-deficient mice metabolized the food they
ate. The Rev-Erb alpha deficient mice created much more fat than the normal mice,
and this occurred specifically during the feeding period. Additionally, the
Rev-Erb-alpha deficient mice relied less on carbohydrate stores when at rest.
"The
phrase 'sick and tired' could never be more true," said Gerald Weissmann,
M.D., Editor-in-Chief of The FASEB Journal. "This research shows that we
evolved to live in synch with the natural light and dark cycles of our planet.
Strasbourg has long taught us the finer aspects of cuisine; its scientists now
explain how night and day can influence whether we are fat or lean."
###
The above story
is based on a May 7, 2012 news release by Federation
of American Societies for Experimental Biology. The abstract
of the paper is found here: J. Delezie, S. Dumont, H. Dardente, H. Oudart, A.
Grechez-Cassiau, P. Klosen, M. Teboul, F. Delaunay, P. Pevet, E. Challet. The
nuclear receptor REV-ERB is required for the daily balance of
carbohydrate and lipid metabolism. The FASEB Journal, 2012; DOI: 10.1096/fj.12-208751
###
Related
reports in Zestzfulness
Mar
29, 2012
In
addition, unknown factors not yet elucidated and other co-morbid conditions
like diabetes mellitus, obesity or hypertension may cause higher risk in those
sleeping under six hours. Dr. Arora says larger prospective studies ...
Mar
24, 2012
Zestzfulness:
Lack of Sleep Linked to Childhood Obesity. The researchers believe that lack sleep
contributes to obesity by wreaking havoc on metabolism and the endocrine system
-- and this is especially true.
Jan
26, 2012
People
who suffer from sleep disturbances are at major risk for obesity, diabetes, and
coronary artery disease, according to new research from the Perelman School of
Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania.
Jun
06, 2011
Staying
up late every night and sleeping in is a habit that could put you at risk for
gaining weight. Now, a study has demonstrated a relationship between the timing
of feeding and weight regulation.
May
08, 2011
The
obesity pandemic is claiming its presence even among youngest of children and
is clearly on the rise. According to lead researcher Dr. David Gozal of the
University of Chicago in Illinois, children who sleep the least could be four
times more likely to develop an unhealthy body weight.
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