How a Single Gene Mutation Leads to Uncontrolled Obesity

[Tank]

How a Single Gene Mutation Leads to Uncontrolled Obesity

ScienceDaily (Mar. 18, 2012) — Researchers at Georgetown University Medical Center have revealed how a mutation in a single gene is responsible for the inability of neurons to effectively pass along appetite suppressing signals from the body to the right place in the brain. What results is obesity caused by a voracious appetite.

Their study, published March 18th on Nature Medicine's website, suggests there might be a way to stimulate expression of that gene to treat obesity caused by uncontrolled eating...

I would assume that in the past this genetic problem didn't lead to the obesity problems we see today as there was simply not enough calories available to the afflicted individual. Now with high caloric cheap fast food the problem is able to manifest itself in many more people.

[Asmodean]

I give it a week before someone comes up with ten different "miracle drugs" exploiting the general idea behind this find.  

[Ali]

I give it a week before someone comes up with ten different "miracle drugs" exploiting the general idea behind this find.  

Like meth.  Heard meth can do wonders for helping you lose weight.  *nods solemnly*

(Just kidding.  Although probably whatever they come up with won't be that much better for your body than meth in the long run.)

[Asmodean]

Oh, what the scientists come up with is exactly NOT what I am talking about.

The "someone" I was refering to is your garden variety chakra-aligning, camertone-abusing, needle-poking herbalist of a snake oil peddler.

[Ali]

Oh, what the scientists come up with is exactly NOT what I am talking about.

The "someone" I was refering to is your garden variety chakra-aligning, camertone-abusing, needle-poking herbalist of a snake oil peddler.

Oh, those someones.  Yes, place pure metals on your pressure points and face the four corners to re-align your obesity aura.

I can still easily imagine a scenario in which whatever nonsense they come up with in Boulder (hippy capital of CO) is still more benign (although ultimately useless) than what Big Pharma comes up with.  I'm old enough to remember Fen Phen (although not old enough to have tried it and had my cardiovascular system wrecked by it, thankfully.)

[Sweetdeath]

I'm sorry, but eating the right foods keeps your body happy and full. I was a chubby teen, cuz I ate lots of mcdonalds, but now I eat more high protein and fiber meals. Apples, coffee, eggs, plenty of spinach, etc. I eat four times a day and dont gain weight. It's all a combo of good diet and mental health.

I know because of some genes, some people have a harder time losing weight though.

Disclaimer: I AM NOT A SCIENTIST XD