The energy balance model fails to explain the biological causes of weight gain, whereas the carbohydrate-insulin model identifies excessive consumption of rapidly digestible carbohydrates as a key contributor to obesity. This perspective argues for a shift in focus from calorie restriction to dietary pattern change.
A controlled trial found that consuming an avocado daily for 12 weeks reduced visceral abdominal fat and the ratio of visceral to subcutaneous fat in female participants. The benefits were primarily seen in females, with no impact on glucose tolerance or male participants.
Researchers at Harvard Medical School identified a signaling molecule called neuropeptide-Y (NPY) as the key driver of hunger-dependent odor attraction. Mice with NPY deficiency showed reduced preference for food odors, highlighting the crucial role of NPY in enhancing food attraction when hungry.
Researchers have discovered a new target for developing a drug treatment for obesity and type 2 diabetes. Glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) regulates body weight and food intake via a receptor in the brain, according to a recent study published in Cell Metabolism.
A UMass Amherst team, led by Professor David Julian McClements, has been awarded $200,000 to develop plant-based protein with a meat-like texture and feel. The goal is to create fiber-like structures from plant proteins that improve the texture of plant-based meat.
Researchers at Penn State's Sensory Evaluation Center found that milk significantly reduces capsaicin burn, with whole milk and skim milk showing the largest reductions. Milk's effectiveness is attributed to its protein content, which may play a more relevant role than fat content.
Researchers found that food odors impact protein degradation and cell recycling, leading to shorter lifespans. The study used Caenorhabditis elegans, a roundworm model organism, to uncover the role of olfactory neurons and microRNA molecule mir-71 in regulating digestive processes.
Researchers found that perceiving food activates the liver to prepare for nutrient uptake, including rapid signaling cascades that prime the endoplasmic reticulum for protein synthesis. This study may hold implications for understanding obesity and diabetes connections through protein folding and insulin release.
A recent study published in Cell Metabolism found that the brain values foods high in both fat and carbohydrates more than those containing only one nutrient. This suggests that processed foods, which often combine these nutrients, may hijack our body's natural signals governing food consumption.
Successful weight loss maintainers exhibit distinct behavioral and physiological responses to food, including decreased salivation and heart rate after consuming highly palatable foods. This difference in response may contribute to their ability to sustain weight loss over time.
A mouse study found that time-restricted feeding maintains normal food intake and reduces weight gain in obese mice. The researchers discovered that restricting food availability to one half of the day resets the normal timing of satiety signals, leading to less weight gain.
A new study found that phenylalanine reduces food intake by affecting the gut and brain, suggesting it may be used to treat or prevent obesity. The amino acid suppressed appetite by releasing hormones in the gut and activating areas of the brain involved in appetite regulation.
A new study reveals that internal physical states can serve as contexts that cue specific learned behaviors, such as seeking food. Researchers found that rats conditioned to associate fullness with receiving treats pressed the lever far more often when they were full than hungry, suggesting a relapse pattern.
Researchers found that people prefer large, widespread species for basic needs like food and medicine due to their ability to produce large quantities. In contrast, smaller palm species are often used for psychological and self-actualization needs with less dependency on biological traits.
Biological engineers at Cornell University have discovered a way to ferment carbon monoxide into ethanol using an anaerobic microbe. The process is controlled by thermodynamics rather than enzyme expression, making it a potential solution for producing biofuel from industrial waste gases.
A new bitter plant extract, Amarasate™, has been shown to activate gut peptide hormones involved in appetite regulation and suppress subsequent feeding behavior. The study found significant reductions in energy intake following ingestion of the extract.
A new study published in Nicotine & Tobacco Research demonstrates that nicotine suppresses body weight gain in rats independent of food intake. The study suggests a potential link between nicotine exposure and weight regulation, offering insights into the development of obesity pharmacotherapies.
Researchers identified O-GlcNAc transferase (OGT) as a key enzyme regulating food intake in mice. Deletion of OGT caused mice to overeat and become obese, suggesting a new treatment target for human obesity.
A recent study has found that microRNAs, previously thought to be digested and absorbed by the body, are actually broken down in the small intestine, rendering them ineffective for modifying physiological functions.
A leading public health doctor argues that calorie counts should be mandatory on all alcoholic drinks to address obesity concerns. The Royal Society for Public Health supports this move, as a recent survey found that many consumers are unaware of the calorie content in common drinks.
A new study by researchers at San Diego State University found that limiting fruit flies' eating hours can prevent aging- and diet-related heart problems. Flies on a time-restricted feeding schedule slept better, didn't gain as much weight and had healthier hearts than those that ate anytime.
A UCLA psychology study reveals that a diet high in processed foods leads to weight gain, fatigue, and cognitive impairments. The research suggests that junk food diets, not lack of exercise or discipline, are responsible for obesity and related health issues.
A new protocol allows researchers to investigate feeding patterns and detect plant DNA in grasshoppers, providing insights into insect-plant interactions. The method enables tracking of plant food movement during consumption and can be completed in under three hours.
A new study suggests that high doses of vitamin C and E supplements can blunt the improvement of muscular endurance through cellular adaptions. The study found that markers for muscle mitochondria production increased only in the group without supplements.
The study found that metformin significantly reduced food intake and body weight gain by inhibiting neuropeptide Y expression in the hypothalamus. Metformin also improved lipid metabolism by reducing plasma low-density lipoprotein levels.
A new study reveals that sleep duration affects hunger differently in men and women. In normal-weight participants aged 30-45, short sleep increased ghrelin levels in men but not women, while reducing GLP-1 levels in women. This sex difference is associated with increased appetite in men and reduced feelings of fullness in women.
A new study funded by the Wellcome Trust found that humans tend to reject unfair offers of water, even when severely thirsty. The researchers used an ultimatum game to test whether humans would accept an unequal offer of water, and found that they did so only if they subjectively felt a strong need for water.
A study by Purdue University researchers reveals that hornworm caterpillars adapt to increase the efficiency of converting food into energy when threatened by predators. They also increase nitrogen extraction and lipid content. However, this adaptation comes at a cost in later developmental stages.
A study by Max Planck researchers found that looking at pictures of food increases the hormone ghrelin in the blood, leading to feelings of hunger. This suggests that external stimuli like advertising can contribute to weight gain in Western populations.
A field study found that diners with large forks ate less than those with small forks due to the need to visually track their progress. The authors suggest consumers learn to better understand hunger cues to avoid overeating.
University of Cincinnati researchers found that pleasurable activities like tasty foods and sex can reduce stress by weakening anxiety responses in the brain. The findings suggest a long-term benefit and could potentially provide strategies for intervening in metabolic disorders.
A recent study published in The Endocrine Society's Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism found that eating quickly can lead to overeating by curbing the release of hormones that signal fullness. Researchers discovered that subjects who took their time consuming a meal had higher concentrations of appetite-regulating hormones,...
Researchers suggest a link between lower mortality rates in September and the preceding summer vacations in Mediterranean countries. The study found that extreme heat and cold are associated with increased risk of death, but also noted a physiological effect of increased vitamin D synthesis and stress-relieving benefits of time off.
Researchers found that chameleons alter their sunbathing behavior in response to their dietary vitamin D intake, regulating UV exposure to maintain optimal levels. The study showed remarkable accuracy in the chameleons' ability to gauge and adjust their UV exposure based on internal vitamin D levels.
A study published in The Journal of Physiology found that rats whose mothers ate an unhealthy diet during pregnancy were more likely to develop obesity, high cholesterol, and insulin resistance. This effect was even more pronounced in female offspring, suggesting a long-term health impact.
A genetic variation in the GLUT2 gene is associated with higher intakes of sugars in two distinct populations. The study found that individuals with the variation consistently consumed more sugars, regardless of age or sex.
Recent symposium discussions highlighted the brain's role in initiating and regulating obesity, as well as its response to nutrient abundance. Research suggests impaired brain function may contribute to weight gain and insulin resistance, fueling obesity and type 2 diabetes development.
Researchers have identified a critical gene in the circadian time-keeping system that enables animals to predict mealtime. The Period 2 gene plays a key role in the brain's ability to anticipate food availability, but not its effect on physiological coordination outside the central nervous system.
Researchers created the first 'encyclopedia' of nuclear receptors, revealing their role in regulating reproduction and nutrient metabolism. The study found that certain receptors form networks to control processes such as diet-derived lipid use for energy.
Researchers from University of Toronto found that environmental cues, such as portion size, palatability, and social norms, dominate eating decisions rather than physical or nutritional needs. This 'zone of biological indifference' makes individuals vulnerable to socially-based influences, leading to overeating.
A study of 12 normal-weight individuals found that their eating behavior did not compensate for overeating, despite gaining weight. Instead, they maintained their usual eating patterns when returning to their normal environment.
Biological differences in taste sensitivity have been linked to various health risks, including colon cancer and cardiovascular disease. Supertasters are more likely to avoid vegetables due to their bitter taste, but this may lead to a higher risk of certain cancers.
A team of UC Irvine researchers found that pythons expend excessive energy in digestion when consuming protein-rich foods. The study revealed that the metabolic rate needed for digestion is based on the content of the food, not its volume.
A Texas A&M University research team is counting Bowhead whales in the Okhotsk Sea to estimate their population size and understand the impact on the ecosystem. By using photo identification and genetic testing, researchers hope to gather information on the whales' feeding behavior and determine if their food supply is dwindling.
Researchers pinpointed the time it takes for the human brain to signal fullness and identified areas involved in eating. The study used functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to record activity changes in neurons, finding a connection between brain activity and traditional biochemical indicators like glucose and insulin levels.