Boston (eCanadaNow) - Rresearchers from the of University of Texas Southwestern have discovered valuable clues as to why some people are "skinny."
fruit flies -- or more specifically -- skinny fruit flies may explain why some people can stay thin, while others become obese.
Researchers discovered that fruit flies with a functioning adipose gene were much skinnier than flies without the gene.
In their study, researchers found that mice who had the adipose gene could eat just as much food, or more, than mice without the gene and not gain weight.
The gene determines whether people pile on the pounds, or shed them off, researchers said.More...
They compared the gene to "volume control" for obesity.
"It can be turned up or down, not just on or off. Maybe if you could affect this gene, even just a little bit, you might have a beneficial effect on fat.?"
“You turn down its function you get fat and get diabetes; if you turn up its function you get skinny and lean, but you can eat as much as your neighbors and you have anti-diabetes, you're blocked from getting diabetes,” said Dr. JonathanGraff, an obesity researcher.
?"From worms to mammals, this gene controls fat formation," Graff added. ?
The study could lead to diet pills which could essentially switch off the fat storing gene.
While doctors and researchers agree the finding is exciting, no one should think of it as a miracle breakthrough for weight loss.
The best advice would be to slim down -- no matter which genes you have.
