Gut microbiome change to treat polycystic ovary syndrome
A new study suggests that modifying gut bacteria may help treat the symptoms of those suffering with polycystic ovaries syndrome (PCOS). Researchers at San Diego University in California used mouse models that mimicked PCOS by administering letrozole, which caused hyperandrogenism, this is seen in 80% of PCOS sufferers. Half the mice were given letrozole, whilst the other half received a placebo. After 5 weeks, the letrozole group had gained more weight and were significantly fatter than the control group.
After analysing faecal samples of the two groups in order to assess the types of bacteria present, the researchers found that there was reduced diversity in the letrozole group; usually without any drugs the gut microbiome would change more. They also found that there was an increase in certain types of bacteria that are commonly seen in obese mice and humans in this group. However it was unclear whether the changes in the gut bacteria were caused by the weight gain, or were the cause of it, early analysis suggests that the bacteria may in fact be responsible for the obesity. If this is the case, then the researchers are keen to use probiotics as a possible prevention or treatment strategy for obesity.
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Obesity increases risk factor for rare types of stroke in women
Obese women who use the oral contraceptive pill (OCP) are at an increased risk of cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT), compared with their normal weight peers that do not use the OCP. Researchers from the Netherlands conducted a small study into the associations between weight, OCP and CVT. They found an almost 30-fold increased risk in obese women taking OCP when compared to normal weight women not taking OCP. CVT is a rare condition that mainly affects young adults and children, it is known that OCP contributes to an increased risk for its development, but no studies so far have been carried out into the associations with obesity.
The authors say that the links that they have shown may make doctors reluctant to prescribe OCP to obese women, however although the relative risks have increased dramatically, the absolute risks are still small. Furthermore, by withholding the prescription of OCP there may be an increase in pregnancies, which will carry a host of further health risks such as pregnancy-related thrombosis. The researchers also go on to say that according to their data, obese women should be informed of the risk and it is then up to them whether they would like to take it or not.
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Tailor made fat storage a thing of the present
New research has shown that the combination of bone marrow technology and genetic engineering could result in the manipulation of fat storage and production. A report was released in the March 2016 issue of the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology which suggests that some human fat cells are actually produced from stem cells in bone marrow. Therefore, research is underway in order to manipulate the production of these fat cells in order to reduce both obesity and the risks of the diseases associated with it.
The researchers recruited patients that had undergone bone marrow transplants; they then took fat tissue samples and matched the DNA in these samples with either the donor or recipient from the transplant. They subsequently found that some of the fat cells contained the donor DNA, meaning that they had originated from the donor stem cells. This discovery highlights the possibility of new strategies to prevent and even reverse fat-related conditions; it’s also helping to unravel the complex and difficult world of obesity treatment.
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Overweight and obesity associated with memory loss
Overweight adults have a reduced ability to recall past memories. This is the conclusion from a study conducted at the University of Cambridge. This small study supports previous evidence that overweight and obesity can cause changes in the structure and function of the brain. Recently obesity has been linked with altered functioning of the hippocampus, the area of the brain that is involved in the formation of memories and learning, whilst also affecting the frontal lobe, which is associated with decision making and emotions. Recalling past events is known as episodic memory, and the research group wanted to further understand obesity’s role in this function.
50 participants aged between 18-35, with BMI range of 18-51, took part in an exercise known as the ‘Treasure-Hunt Task’. This is where participants are asked to mentally ‘hide’ things around a complex scene across 2 days, they were then asked to find these things. An association between higher BMI and poorer performance on the tasks was found. The researchers did concede that the study was small and that further research is required to fully establish a link between obesity and memory loss. Furthermore, they are eager to explore the effects of memory recall of certain meals, as dysfunction here may lead to problems in regulating consumption of certain foods. This would mean that it could be harder to keep track of what an individual has eaten, possibly leading to over eating.
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Peanut snacking may help ward off obesity
A recent study found a reduction in BMI of Hispanic middle school children who took part in a peanut snacking intervention. The study was carried out at the University of Houston and was performed over 12 weeks. The authors observed that snacking is very common amongst adolescents and by stopping the consumption of unhealthy snacks, and initiating the consumption of healthier alternatives, they may be able to address the development of obesity. Before the study was carried out the researchers found that many children skip meals throughout the day, for a number of reasons, and this can cause them to snack more often. Students were given nutritional advice and split into 2 groups, where one received a peanut snack 3-4 times a week, and the other only once. Peanuts were chosen as they are nutrient dense and promote a feeling of satiety.
It was found that the students who received more peanuts experienced are higher reduction of BMI, compared to those that only received peanuts once a week. The authors are keen to emphasise that afterschool programs such as this can have both a direct effect, by reducing the weight of children, but also change the mind-set and food choices of children. They are hoping to continue research into the use of afterschool programs that can prevent obesity.
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Dietary fibre may hold key to stopping intergenerational obesity
A recent study has shown how prebiotics, forms of dietary fibre, may alter maternal gut bacteria and halt the chances of obesity ‘running in the family’. The researchers, from the University of Calgary, aimed to use diet to change mothers’ gut bacteria in such a way that the intergenerational cycle of obesity was broken. They wanted to do this by identifying healthy foods to feed beneficial bacteria, thereby counteracting the negative effects of unhealthy foods. Prebiotics are naturally occurring forms of dietary fibre and can be found in foods such as garlic, onions and wheat. They are non-digestible and they stimulate and feed health promoting bacteria.
Prebiotic supplements were given to rats and they were also fed high fat and high sugar diets, the other group of rats received the same diet but no supplement. It was found that the rats taking the supplements ate less and eventually had a lower percentage of body fat compared with the control group. Whilst the prebiotic encouraged the growth of ‘good’ bacteria, they also led to the release of hormones that promoted a sense of satiety, meaning that the rats subsequently ate less. The researchers do emphasise however that humans are far more complex than rats, and the use of prebiotics should not be seen as fully transferable yet, or even thought of as a cure for obesity, further study into the use of prebiotics in humans is therefore needed.
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Low carbohydrate and high fat diets lead to rapid weight gain
A new study conducted in mice, has shown that a diet of low carbohydrates and high fats (LCHF) can result in weight gain and health complications after just 8 weeks. The researchers were aiming to assess the efficacy of a range of diets, and found that this type of diet, which is commonly undertaken as part of the Paleo diet, is actually bad for your overall health. They used mice models, in which both groups were showing pre-diabetes symptoms; one group was put on an LCHF diet. They found that the LCHF group experienced rapid weight gain, impaired glucose intolerance and a rise in insulin levels, their fat mass doubled from 2% to 4%. This is the equivalent of a 100kg person gaining 15kg in just 2 months.
A new study conducted in mice, has shown that a diet of low carbohydrates and high fats (LCHF) can result in weight gain and health complications after just 8 weeks. The researchers were aiming to assess the efficacy of a range of diets, and found that this type of diet, which is commonly undertaken as part of the Paleo diet, is actually bad for your overall health. They used mice models, in which both groups were showing pre-diabetes symptoms; one group was put on an LCHF diet. They found that the LCHF group experienced rapid weight gain, impaired glucose intolerance and a rise in insulin levels, their fat mass doubled from 2% to 4%. This is the equivalent of a 100kg person gaining 15kg in just 2 months.
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Consumption of fish during pregnancy linked with childhood obesity
Pregnant women who eat fish more than 3 times a week are putting their children at a higher risk of developing obesity than if they did not eat as much of it. This is the conclusion of a new study published in JAMA Paediatrics. Data from 26,184 women were analysed to examine potential associations between maternal fish intake and childhood growth. They found that women who consumed fish more than three times a week gave birth to children with higher BMI levels at ages 2,4, and 6, compared to those who did not eat as much.
The researchers suggest that contamination by environmental pollutants could be the reason for this association. However, the authors did admit that they were not able to collect data on the types of fish consumed, methods of cooking or sources of fish, therefore their hypothesis remains speculative. However, it would seem to agree with the recent guideline released from the USA Food and Drug Administration which suggests that pregnant women should not eat fish more than three times a week due to the possibility of environmental pollutant exposure. Overall, it seems more research will have to be undertaken in order to fully explore and understand the effects of maternal fish consumption and childhood weight.
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Gene variant can influence food choices
A research team from McGill university have recently found that the interplay of children’s socioeconomic environment will have a large impact on girls that carry a particular gene variant (DRD4 VNTR with 7 repeats). Their socioeconomic environment can lead to healthy eating, or it can lead to an unhealthy diet. The gene variant itself is known to be present in up to 20% of the population, making it extremely common. It is also known to be associated with obesity. The researchers found that in girls from a poorer background, in those that carried the variant, they consumed higher fat diets. They found a healthier diet was consumed in girls from a wealthier background in those that were also carriers of the gene variant. Interestingly, boys who also had the same gene variant were not affected in the same way.
The research backs the idea that obesity is not caused by individual factors working separately; rather obesity is the result of a broad interplay of factors, many of which can also lead to a healthier lifestyle, if expressed correctly. The researchers hope to use this information in order to better understand the role that genes play in the development of obesity, and therefore develop increasingly efficient interventions against the epidemic.
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The secret to losing fat and gaining muscle
Researchers at McMaster University in Canada have found that it is possible to gain muscle whilst losing fat, the ideal aim for many. The researchers admit that the method is not an easy one! 40 young men underwent a regimen of hard exercise, whilst cutting the amount of dietary energy they would normally consume by 40%. After splitting the group into two (where one was given more protein than the other), they found that the protein group were able to gain muscle, and at the same time lose excess fat.
The researchers are keen to point out that the regimen will not work for everyone as it was designed for a particular group of young men. The regimen itself is not for those looking for a ‘quick fix’ but more for those who are committed to spending time and effort in order to get back into shape and to control their diets whilst undertaking supervised exercise. The authors are hoping to continue this research in young women, and also develop a programme that will be ‘a little easier and much more sustainable’.
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Does obesity affect your memory?
Researchers at the University of Alabama may have found a connection between declining memory and obesity. They identified particular genes in the hippocampus area of the brains of mice and found that, in obese mice, there is a dysregulation of memory-associated genes due to epigenetic changes, assumed to be caused by obesity. These particular genes are supposed to help neurones in the brain create new synapses, which are involved with memory formation.
This is one of the first studies that actually looks into the mechanisms of epigenetic dysregulation of memory-associated genes. The authors explained that the study itself may serve as a conceptual basis for the development of therapeutic interventions for obesity-induced memory impairment, due to the discovery of the link between diet, epigenetics and cognitive function. However they do say that much deeper research and assessment into the area is needed before therapeutic interventions are considered.
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Can maternal obesity increase autism risk in children?
Children of obese women with diabetes are more than 4 times more likely to suffer from an autism spectrum disorder. These are the findings from a study conducted at the Johns Hopkins School of Public Health in Baltimore, USA. The researchers analysed 2,734 mother-child pairs for the study, between 1998 and 2014. By collecting data on maternal weight and diabetes status, and comparing this with prevalence of autism in the children, they were able to conclude that children whose mothers were both diabetic and obese were 4 times more likely to have an autism spectrum disorder than their healthier mother-child counterparts.
The research highlights that the risk of autism begins in utero, and the authors are now keen to figure out the mechanisms behind the development of autism in these children. Previous studies have made a link between maternal diabetes and autism, however this is the first that looks at the combination of diabetes and obesity. The researchers wanted to make women of child-bearing age aware of these risks and the implications that it could have on their children. However, they do concede that more needs to be done in order to fully understand the process.
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