A Magic Pill for Obesity?

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Published on Thursday, 28 February 2013 12:28

Written by Reginald Simmons NPC MP Competitor, Body Fuse Athlete

 

The United States of America has an obesity problem. In fact, more than one-third of adults and almost 17% of youth are obese. According to the CDC, the rate of obesity has slowed in recent years however it remains an area of concern for a variety of reasons. A few recent studies offer clues on ways to address the obesity epidemic and in many ways these studies reaffirm long held bodybuilding dieting principles. 

The condition known as obesity occurs when there is an imbalance between food intake and energy expenditure. In other words, someone becomes obese when they consume too many calories beyond what is needed for bodily functions. This surplus of calories, results in increased weight gain over a period of time.

 

Implications of Obesity

Obesity-related conditions including heart disease, type 2 diabetes, stroke and certain types of cancer are some of the leading causes of preventable death in the US. The healthcare costs associated with obesity adds-up to almost $150 billion per year. In fact, the CDC actually determined that the medical cost for an obese person was $1,429 higher than those of a normal weight person in 2008. 

Given the high cost and prevalence of obesity, researchers, pharmaceutical companies and other stakeholders are paying close attention to this disease. 

 

Advancements in Research

Recently scientists from the University of New South Wales and the Garvan Institute of Medical Research determined that a neurotransmitter known for stimulating a person’s appetite also plays a key role in controlling whether that person burns or conserves energy. The researchers determined that when an obese person cuts back on calories, their body believes that they are starving and as a result they conserve energy by burning fewer calories. The brain circuitry responsibly for this process dates back to our hunter-gatherer ancestors who faced real starvation due to inadequate food supplies. In modern times this circuitry, combined with our high fat / high carbohydrate diets only serves to hinder weight-loss efforts.  

“Obesity is a modern epidemic, and the challenges will be to find ways of tricking the body into losing weight—and that will mean somehow circumventing or manipulating this…circuit, probably with drugs,” says Professor Herbert Herzog, one of the study’s authors.

Presently there are no drugs which can circumvent or manipulate this circuitry however an earlier study conducted by other researchers from the Garvan Institute may provide some answers. 

These researchers determined that a peptide found in the stomach plays an important role in regulating body-weight, reducing hunger and potentially reversing obesity.

During the research several normal-weight and obese men were feed high protein, high carbohydrate and high fat diets. Based upon this research, it was determined that the high protein diet caused the greatest reduction in hunger and a greater feeling of satisfaction. 

The Garvan researchers also found that a high protein diet enhanced the natural production of the peptide which they later showed could reverse obesity in lab rats. While the implications of the rat studies are yet to be determined, there are some key lessons that can be readily applied.

 

Bodybuilding Principles Might be the Answer

The average Western diet derives 49% of energy intake from carbohydrates, 35% from fat, and 16% from protein. This diet is in sharp contrast to the diet of our ancestors who consumed 19-35% protein, 28-47% fat and 22-40% carbohydrates. This shift from protein to carbs as the primary source of energy might be the reason for increases in diseases such as obesity.

Diet modification therefore might be part of the answer in reversing the trend. The consumption of lean protein leads to a reduction in hunger and an increase in satisfaction.  Several studies have determined that reductions in huger result in decreased food intake which in-turn results in lower body weight.

Frequent and regular meals may also be part of the solution to prevent the brain from going into starvation mode. Of course these meals should be higher in protein.

Lastly, while none of the studies reviewed the role of exercise, you’ll recall that obesity occurs when calories consumed exceeds calories used. To this point, exercise is a natural way to burn extra calories before they can be stored by the body.

Presently there is no magic pill to reverse obesity however there are some tried and true methods that can be readily employed by anyone looking to lose weight. 

 

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