And excess consumption of saturated fats raises obesity risk, researchers find

New research sheds light on the possible link between the genes you inherit and the size of your belly.

Participants in a French study doubled their risk of having fat around the abdomen if they had a certain genetic trait, and the more of these traits one had, the greater the risk for a pot belly.

The study was looking at metabolic syndrome, a condition in which abdominal obesity, high cholesterol and high blood pressure combine to raise the risk of several diseases such as stroke, heart disease and type 2 diabetes.

The findings are just one more piece of the obesity puzzle, a nutrition specialist said.

“Certainly it adds to the body of knowledge, but we need to look at what it means within the big picture and context of all the other obesity research,” said Lona Sandon, an assistant professor at University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center and spokeswoman for the American Dietetic Association.

Results of the study, which was designed to explore a possible link between genes and metabolic syndrome, are published in the November issue of the Journal of Nutrition.

The researchers followed 1,754 French people for seven and a half years, tracking what they ate. They found that having any one of five genetic traits doubled the risk that a person would have abdominal obesity, and that eating a lot of saturated fats boosted the risk even more. But they also found that having one of the genetic traits didn’t boost the risk of metabolic syndrome.

Sandon said the study doesn’t confirm that the genetic trait directly leads to obesity. The findings, she said, show “an association, not a cause-and-effect.”

Also, she pointed out that while the study found a relationship between the gene and abdominal obesity, some subjects were consuming more than 15.5 percent of their calories from saturated fat.

The current recommendation is 10 percent for most healthy people and 7 percent for those with high cholesterol and other metabolic risk factors for heart disease, she said.

In the larger picture, researchers are beginning to understand how genetics are connected to obesity and “how those genes are affected by environment and food components,” Sandon said.

“The mystery is how do we put this into real health recommendations, and how do multiple genes work together to promote or squelch obesity,” she said. “If there were just one gene related to obesity, the answer might be simple. But we know multiple genes are involved, so it is difficult to make hard and fast conclusions about what people should do with this information.”

When it comes to obesity, the factors of genetics, diet and exercise — or lack thereof — are indeed “highly entangled,” said study co-author Dr. Richard Planells, a professor of biochemistry at University of Aix-Marseille II in France.

What to do? At the moment, genetic tests to track these particular genes aren’t feasible. “Many other genes have to be analyzed before one can design a genetic map,” Planells explained.

Even if there was such a test, “the majority of control is always in your hands,” added Cynthia Sass, a registered dietitian and author in New York City. “Even if you have strong genetic predispositions to obesity or any disease, you are not guaranteed to develop that disease. Given the exact same lifestyle, yes, you will have a higher risk, but the bottom line is that the majority of the risk lies in how you treat your body, and that’s empowering.”

SOURCES: Lona Sandon, R.D., assistant professor, clinical nutrition, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas; Richard Planells, M.D., Ph.D., professor, biochemistry, University of Aix-Marseille II, Marseille, France; Cynthia Sass, M.P.H., R.D., registered dietitian and author, New York City; November 2009, Journal of Nutrition

Copyright (c) 2009 ScoutNews, LLC. All rights reserved.

• Type 2 diabetes
• coronary heart disease and stroke
• metabolic syndrome
• certain types of cancer
• sleep apnea
• osteoarthritis
• gallbladder disease
• fatty liver disease
• pregnancy complications

You may be able to lower your health risks by losing weight…

Another way to determine your weight

Another way to determine if your weight is placing your health at risk is to measure your waist. Waist measurement does not determine if you are overweight, but it does indicate if you have excess fat in your abdomen. This is important because extra fat around your waist may increase health risks even more than fat elsewhere on your body.

Women with a waist measurement of more than 35 inches and men with a waist measurement of more than 40 inches may have an increased risk for obesity-related diseases.

Type 2 Diabetes

What is it?

Type 2 diabetes is a disease in which blood sugar levels are above normal. High blood sugar is a major cause of coronary heart disease, kidney disease, stroke, amputation, and blindness. In 2002, diabetes was the sixth leading cause of death in the United States.

Type 2 diabetes is the most common type of diabetes in the United States. This form of diabetes is most often associated with old age, obesity, family history of diabetes, previous history of gestational diabetes, and physical inactivity. The disease is more common among certain ethnic populations.

How is it linked to overweight?

More than 85 percent of people with type 2 diabetes are overweight. It is not known exactly why people who are overweight are more likely to develop this disease. It may be that being overweight causes cells to change, making them resistant to the hormone insulin. Insulin carries sugar from blood to the cells, where it is used for energy. When a person is insulin resistant, blood sugar cannot be taken up by the cells, resulting in high blood sugar. In addition, the cells that produce insulin must work extra hard to try to keep blood sugar normal. This may cause these cells to gradually fail.

What can weight loss do? You may lower your risk for developing type 2 diabetes by losing weight and increasing the amount of physical activity you do. If you have type 2 diabetes, losing weight and becoming more physically active can help you control your blood sugar levels and prevent or delay complications.

Coronary Heart Disease and Stroke

What are they?

Coronary heart disease means that the heart and circulation (blood flow) are not functioning normally. Often, the arteries have become hardened and narrowed. If you have coronary heart disease, you may suffer from a heart attack, congestive heart failure, sudden cardiac death, angina (chest pain), or abnormal heart rhythm. In a heart attack, the flow of blood and oxygen to the heart is disrupted, damaging portions of the heart muscle. During a stroke, blood and oxygen do not flow normally to the brain, possibly causing paralysis or death. Coronary heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States, and stroke is the third leading cause.

How are they linked to overweight?

People who are overweight are more likely to develop high blood pressure, high levels of triglycerides (blood fats) and LDL cholesterol (a fat-like substance often called “bad cholesterol”), and low levels of HDL cholesterol (“good cholesterol”). These are all risk factors for heart disease and stroke. In addition, excess body fat—especially abdominal fat—may produce substances that cause inflammation. Inflammation in blood vessels and throughout the body may raise heart disease risk.

What can weight loss do? Losing 5 to 10 percent of your weight can lower your chances for developing coronary heart disease or having a stroke. If you weigh 90-100 kg, this means losing as little as 9-10 kg. Weight loss may improve blood pressure, triglyceride, and cholesterol levels; improve heart function and blood flow; and decrease inflammation throughout the body.

Metabolic Syndrome

What is it?

The metabolic syndrome is a group of obesity-related risk factors for coronary heart disease and diabetes. A person has the metabolic syndrome if he or she has three or more of the following risk factors:

• A large waistline. For men, this means a waist measurement of 40 inches or more. For women, it means a waist measurement of 35 inches or more [1].
• High triglycerides or taking medication to treat high triglycerides. A triglyceride level of 150 mg/dL or higher is considered high [1].
• Low levels of HDL (“good”) cholesterol or taking medications to treat low HDL. For men, low HDL cholesterol is below 40 mg/dL. For women, it is below 50 mg/dL [1].
• High blood pressure or taking medications to treat high blood pressure. High blood pressure is 130 mm Hg or higher for systolic blood pressure (the top number) or 85 mm Hg or higher for diastolic blood pressure (the bottom number) [1].
• High fasting blood glucose (sugar) or taking medications to treat high blood sugar. This means a fasting blood sugar of 100 mg/dL or higher [1].

A person with metabolic syndrome has approximately twice the risk for coronary heart disease and five times the risk for type 2 diabetes [1]. It is estimated that 27 percent of American adults have the metabolic syndrome [2].

How is it linked to overweight?

The metabolic syndrome is strongly linked to obesity, especially abdominal obesity. Other risk factors are physical inactivity, insulin resistance, genetics, and old age.

Obesity is a risk factor for the metabolic syndrome because it raises blood pressure and triglycerides, lowers good cholesterol, and contributes to insulin resistance. Excess fat around the abdomen carries even higher risks.

What can weight loss do?

It may be possible to prevent the metabolic syndrome with weight management and physical activity. For patients who already have the syndrome, losing weight and being physically active may help prevent or delay the development of diabetes, coronary heart disease, or other complications.

Individuals who are overweight or obese and who have the metabolic syndrome should aim to lose 10 percent of their body weight and do at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity every day. Quitting smoking, eating healthfully, and taking prescription medications for conditions such as high blood pressure or low HDL cholesterol may also be recommended.

Cancer

What is it?

Cancer occurs when cells in one part of the body, such as the colon, grow abnormally or out of control. The cancerous cells sometimes spread to other parts of the body, such as the liver. Cancer is the second leading cause of death in the United States.

How is it linked to overweight?

Being overweight may increase the risk of developing several types of cancer, including cancers of the colon, esophagus, and kidney. Overweight is also linked with uterine and postmenopausal breast cancer in women. Gaining weight during adult life increases the risk for several of these cancers, even if the weight gain does not result in overweight or obesity.

It is not known exactly how being overweight increases cancer risk. It may be that fat cells release hormones that affect cell growth, leading to cancer. Also, eating or physical activity habits that may lead to being overweight may also contribute to cancer risk.

What can weight loss do?

Avoiding weight gain may prevent a rise in cancer risk. Healthy eating and physical activity habits may lower cancer risk. Weight loss may also lower your risk, although studies have been inconclusive.

Sleep Apnea

What is it?

Sleep apnea is a condition in which a person stops breathing for short periods during the night. A person who has sleep apnea may suffer from daytime sleepiness, difficulty concentrating, and even heart failure.

How is it linked to overweight?

The risk for sleep apnea is higher for people who are overweight. A person who is overweight may have more fat stored around his or her neck. This may make the airway smaller. A smaller airway can make breathing difficult, loud (snoring), or stop altogether. In addition, fat stored in the neck and throughout the body may produce substances that cause inflammation. Inflammation in the neck is a risk factor for sleep apnea.

What can weight loss do?

Weight loss usually improves sleep apnea. Weight loss may help to decrease neck size and lessen inflammation.

Osteoarthritis

What is it?

Osteoarthritis is a common joint disorder that causes the joint bone and cartilage (tissue that protects joints) to wear away. Osteoarthritis most often affects the joints of the knees, hips, and lower back.

How is it linked to overweight?

Extra weight may place extra pressure on joints and cartilage, causing them to wear away. In addition, people with more body fat may have higher blood levels of substances that cause inflammation. Inflammation at the joints may raise the risk for osteoarthritis.

What can weight loss do?

Weight loss of at least 5 percent of your body weight may decrease stress on your knees, hips, and lower back, and lessen inflammation in your body. If you have osteoarthritis, losing weight may help improve your symptoms.

Fatty Liver Disease

What is it?

Fatty liver disease occurs when fat builds up in the liver cells and causes injury and inflammation in the liver. It can sometimes lead to severe liver damage, cirrhosis (build-up of scar tissue that blocks proper blood flow in the liver), or even liver failure. Fatty liver disease is like alcoholic liver damage, but it is not caused by alcohol and can occur in people who drink little or no alcohol.

How is it linked to overweight?

People who have diabetes or “pre-diabetes” (when blood sugar levels are higher than normal but not yet in the diabetic range) are more likely to have fatty liver disease than people without these conditions. People who are overweight are more likely to develop diabetes (see the “Type 2 Diabetes” section above). It is not known why some people who are overweight or diabetic get fatty liver disease and others do not.

What can weight loss do?

Losing weight and being physically active can help you control your blood sugar levels. It can also reduce the build-up of fat in your liver and prevent further injury. People with fatty liver disease should avoid drinking alcohol.

Gallbladder disease

What is it?

Gallbladder disease includes gallstones and inflammation or infection of the gallbladder. Gallstones are clusters of solid material that form in the gallbladder. They are made mostly of cholesterol and can cause abdominal pain, especially after consuming fatty foods. The pain may be sharp or dull.

How is it linked to overweight?

People who are overweight have a higher risk for developing gallbladder disease. They may produce more cholesterol (a fat-like substance found in the body), a risk factor for gallstones. Also, people who are overweight may have an enlarged gallbladder, which may not work properly.

What can weight loss do?

Fast weight loss (more than 1.5 kg per week) or large weight loss can actually increase your chance of developing gallstones. Modest, slow weight loss of about 300 gm to 1 kg a week is less likely to cause gallstones. Achieving a healthy weight may lower your risk for developing gallstones.

Pregnancy Complications

What are they?

Overweight and obesity raise the risk of pregnancy complications for both mother and baby. Pregnant women who are overweight or obese may have an increased risk for:

• Gestational diabetes (high blood sugar during pregnancy).
• Pre-eclampsia (high blood pressure during pregnancy that can cause severe problems for both mother and baby if left untreated).
• Cesarean delivery or complications with cesarean delivery.

Babies of overweight or obese mothers have an increased risk of neural tube defects (defects of the brain and spinal cord), stillbirth, prematurity, and being large for gestational age.

How are they linked to overweight?

Pregnant women who are overweight are more likely to develop insulin resistance, high blood sugar, and high blood pressure. (Insulin resistance is when cells do not respond properly to the hormone insulin, which carries blood sugar to cells for energy. It may result in high levels of blood sugar.) Overweight also increases the risks associated with surgery and anesthesia, and severe obesity increases operative time and blood loss.

Some studies have shown that gaining excess weight during pregnancy—even without becoming obese—may increase risks. It is important to consult with your obstetrician or other health care provider about how much weight to gain during pregnancy.

What can weight loss do?

Women who are overweight or obese and who would like to become pregnant should speak with their health care provider [ impressions ] about losing weight before becoming pregnant. Pre-pregnancy weight loss significantly reduces pregnancy complications. Pregnant women who are overweight or obese should speak with their health care provider [ impressions ] about limiting gestational weight gain and being physically active during pregnancy.

Losing excess weight after delivery may help women reduce their health risks. If a woman developed gestational diabetes, losing weight will lower her risk of developing diabetes later in life.

How can you lower your health risks?

If you are overweight, losing as little as 5 percent of your body weight may lower your risk for several diseases, including coronary heart disease and type 2 diabetes. If you weigh 90-100 kg, this means losing 4.6 kg. Slow and steady weight loss of 300 gm to 1 kg per week, and not more than 1.4 kg per week, is the safest way to lose weight.

To lose weight, or to maintain weight loss, you need the help of professionals. Contact impressions [ 9900330123 ].

Source: Weight-Control InformationNetwork

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Endnotes
[1] Grundy SM, Cleeman JI, Daniels SR, et al. Diagnosis and Management of the Metabolic Syndrome: An American Heart Association/National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Scientific Statement. Circulation. October 2005; 1129(17):2735-2752.

[2] Ford ED, Giles WH, Modkad AH. Increasing prevalence of the metabolic syndrome among U.S. adults. Diabetes Care. 2004;24(10):244-9.

A new study on the subject says about one out of every four obese people report personal injuries in men and about one out of every five obese women report the same. This may be compared to the one out of six normal weight men and one out of eight normal weight women who report such injuries.

Researchers report that while there have been other researchers linking obesity with increased risk of injuries, but the research for that had been conducted on a typical workforce or children, this is one of the first studies that try to find out the risk of injury to obese people of the general population.

Body mass index (BMI) ranging from 18.5 to 24.9 is considered to be normal. People are considered overweight if the index ranges between of 25 to 29.9, while BMI over 30 is considered to be obese.

Researchers feel that overexertion and falls are the two most common causes of injuries in obese and extremely obese people. As obesity can limit the amount of physical strain a person can take, this may cause the obese people to stretch themselves and fall.

Reference: American Journal of Preventive Medicine, July 2005 – [Source]

Patients who have undergone gastric bypass surgery for obesity have higher breath-alcohol levels after drinking the same amount as other people — and it takes much longer for their levels to return to zero, the findings from a small study suggest.

“There are a few implications here. The overwhelming one being that patients need to be cautious using alcohol after they’ve had this surgery. One drink may be one too many,” senior author Dr.John Morton, from Stanford University in California, told Reuters Health. “In addition, by relaxing the intestine, alcohol can allow the patient to consume more food, which could wreak havoc on their weight maintenance.”

The findings, which were presented Thursday at the annual meeting of the American Society for Bariatric Surgery in San Diego, are from a study of 19 patients who underwent gastric bypass 1 year earlier and 17 comparison subjects (controls), who were about the same weight as the patients post-surgery.

All of the subjects were given 5 ounces of red wine and instructed to consume the beverage within 15 minutes. Breath-alcohol levels then were measured every 5 minutes.

Seventy-seven percent of gastric bypass patients had a peak alcohol level of 0.08 percent, “which is considered legally intoxicated” in some states, Morton noted. By contrast, the peak level reached in the control group was 0.05 percent.

For the control subjects, it took 72 minutes for breath-alcohol levels to return to zero. In gastric bypass patients, on the other hand, 108 minutes were required.

Further studies are needed to better understand how gastric bypass surgery causes changes in alcohol metabolism, Morton said.

One possible mechanism involves alcohol dehydrogenase, an enzyme needed for the body to metabolize alcohol. Morton explained that this enzyme is present in the stomach, as well as in the liver.

Because the surgery bypasses much of the stomach, there is less enzyme available to breakdown the alcohol. “So, the alcohol just gets dumped into the small intestine, where it is readily absorbed.”