Making metabolism more inefficient can reduce obesity

October 03, 2008

Appearing in JBC online Oct. 3

In a discovery that counters prevailing thought, a study in mice has found that inactivating a pair of key genes involved in "fat-burning" can actually increase energy expenditure and help lower diet-induced obesity. These unusual findings, appearing this week in the JBC, might lead to some new roads in weight-loss therapy.

Humans and other warm-blooded animals need to continually "burn fat" in order to maintain body temperature, and it's currently believed that an individual's fat-burning capacity, or thermogenic potential, is connected with obesity risk; that is, people with more thermogenic potential are less likely to become obese. In fact, bodybuilders and dieters looking to burn fat commonly use thermogenic supplements like ephedra.

In theory, lowering thermogenesis should increase the chances of obesity, but Leslie Kozak and colleagues at Pennington Biomedical Research Center found that this may not be the case. They knocked-out two thermogenic genes in mice, Ucp1 (mitochondrial uncoupling protein) and Gdm (glycerol 3-phosphate dehydrogenase) and then fed the mice a high-fat diet while rearing them at a cool 20 °C (68 °F).

Surprisingly, these mice were actually quite resistant to obesity, which resulted from the mice turning on backup heat generators, so to speak. Lacking Ucp1 and Gdm, genes that have been designed for the efficient production of heat, mouse white fat cells activated alternate, and more inefficient, fat burning pathways. In this case, though, inefficiency is beneficial, as the mice had to burn more fat than normal to stay warm (by analogy you burn more wood by warming your house with an open fire then with a well designed wood stove).

Importantly, after spending 10 weeks at 20 °C the mice retained these alternate pathways even after transferring to 28 °C (82 °F), suggesting their bodies had adapted to the change. Thus, Kozak and colleagues note, fat burning does not necessarily require making thermogenesis easier; by making it harder and forcing the body to use inefficient methods to stay warm, the same goals can be reached.

American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

---

---

	The Fresh Start Thermogenic Diet: The Proven Program for Lasting Weight Loss through Fat-Burning Foods by Cathi Graham (Author) Cathi Graham lost over 186 pounds and kept if off for more than 20 years with a simple diet secret. In 1982, Cathi Graham tipped the scales at 326 pounds and her doctor scribbled three words on her medical chart that would forever change her life: "patient morbidly obese." Horrified, she began intensive research and discovered the power of thermogenic foods—foods that stimulate your metabolism and help you burn fat. The Fresh Start Thermogenic Diet explains this revolutionary way to lose weight, and helps you create an overall plan to reduce your weight for a healthier life. Thermogenic foods, such as hot peppers, apple cider vinegar, salsa, and celery, help you lose weight no matter what your body type. Complete with inspirational stories from people who have lost...
	Fat Management: The Thermogenic Factor by Daniel B. Mowrey (Author)
	Thermogenics, Converting Fat for Safe and Effictive Weight Loss by Rita Elkins (Author)
	The Thermogenic Diet: Learn how food can do the hard work of weight loss (Volume 1) by Mr John S Jones (Author) There are literally hundreds of diets, but how do you know which one really works? This book is the product of helping thousands of people improve their health. The Thermogenic diet exaplains which foods can increase your metabolism to help you lose weight and keep it off. Over 95% of people who diet will regain most of the bodyfat they have lost. Have you ever wondered why? Have you been confused about how food causes weight gain? Then this book is for you! The Thermogenic diet uses sound nutrition principles to control hunger and cravings so that you acheive great weight loss for life! John Jones is an Accredited Practising Dietitian with a passion to provide practical solutions to creating a healthy lifestyle. His interest in nutrition was born during his pursuit of a career as a...
	Better than diet Cola? Elite FX combines spiced-up flavors with vitamins and a 'proprietary thermogenic blend' to produce Celsius, a carbonated soft ... SPOTLIGHT): An article from: Food Processing by Hollis Ashman (Author), Jacqueline Beckley (Author) This digital document is an article from Food Processing, published by Putman Media, Inc. on December 1, 2005. The length of the article is 1544 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser. Citation Details Title: Better than diet Cola? Elite FX combines spiced-up flavors with vitamins and a 'proprietary thermogenic blend' to produce Celsius, a carbonated soft drink it claims can burn calories.(PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT) Author: Hollis Ashman Publication: Food Processing (Magazine/Journal) Date: December 1, 2005 Publisher: Putman Media, Inc. Volume: 66 Issue: 12 Page:...
	Alpha-adrenergic receptors in brown adipose tissue: Thermogenic significance and mode of action (Acta physiologica Scandinavica) by Nina Mohell (Author)
	Thermogenic therapy, by Wilborn J. Aloe, A.S., Company. Deason (Author)
	Missing Piece to the Weight Loss Puzzle - Thermogenics by Erik Laver (Author)
	THERMOGENIC RESPIRATION IN AROIDS by Bastiaan J.D. Meeuse (Author)
	The Fresh Start Thermogenic Diet: The Proven Program for Lasting Weight Loss through Fat-Burning Foo [Hardcover] by Cathi Graham (Author)