http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/12/121204145549.htm
In a study conducted on animals, it was found that those with low-levels of insulin were able to eat more food without the risk of gaining body fat. Those who had more insulin in their bodies were more likely to gain body fat after the same size of a meal. They believe that they have finally located the cause of obesity in mammals, directly stating that insulin is the driving factor. The doctors are reassuring people that have to take insulin as a result of diabetes that it can be thought of as a good or bad substance, but it is one that is needed in order to maintain a healthy blood sugar level within the body. In mice, scientists know that they are predisposed to produce high amounts of insulin if those parts of their body are activated to do so. It was found that the mice in the low-level condition of insulin production did not gain as much body fat, even when indulging in a high fat all they could eat buffet of sorts. They had lower levels of inflammation, and less fat build up on their livers. However, the scientists say that the evidence that points toward the fact that insulin may indeed be the cause of fat gain, it is not a true detrimental health risk to the public. If your insulin levels tend to be high there is nothing to worry about, but it is something to take into consideration.
This article dealt with the manipulation of mice genes in order to see the effects of high levels of insulin and low levels of insulin. It was found that low levels allowed the mice to eat significantly more than the high level without gaining weight, while the high level mice became fat to the point of obesity. After all of this, however, I thought it was strange at the end of the article that the scientists tell us that this is not too significant because the benefits outweigh the risks. This must be because weight gain in mice seems more significant, because their normal weight is only about a pound or two. When they begin to tip the scales at 4 or 5 pounds of course it will seem to be significant.
This article does well not to scare people. Insulin is well known for the storage of glucose, but it also increases fat storage and decreases fat mobilization. High insulin levels could increase the weight of the mice. It was good that they said people taking insulin need it, because without the insulin they would die. Also, they are taking insulin because they don't produce it and therefore their insulin levels shouldn't be high. I think this is important to look at as one of many attributes that predispose people toward obesity.
ReplyDelete