www.safetyissues.com: Overeating Confuses Brain

Overeating Confuses Brain
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Staff writer for safetyissues.com on 10/02/08 02:41:00
 
According to the researchers, too many calories seem to activate a normally
dormant protein pathway in the hypothalamus. This gland located in the mid-part
of the brain regulates appetite and feeding behavior, and therefore plays a key
role in body processes such as metabolism and the body-weight balance.
Many previous studies have cited obesity as a cause of a low-grade chronic
inflammation that occurs all over the body. The inflammation usually appears in
diseases associated with obesity, such as heart disease and diabetes. A
particular compound, known as IKKbeta/NF-kappaB, has previously been identified
as actively involved in the inflammatory responses of the immune system.
The current research found what was not previously known: that the compound was
also operating in the central nervous system. The team found high levels of it
in the hypothalamus where it was normally inactive.
Working with mice brains, the researchers observed that a high-fat or
high-sugar diet made the IKKbeta/NF-kappaB compound in the hypothalamus
extremely active.
Once the protein was activated the mice started eating more. It appeared the
body did not respond to signals from other hormones: leptin, whose function is
to regulate appetite, and insulin, which helps in converting food to energy.
In mice where this pathway was blocked, the animals did not eat compulsively
and were able to keep their weight normal.
The activated pathway appeared to induce insulin resistance and to upset the
fine balance of hormones involved in weight control and appetite.
This means that even before obesity has become established in the body,
excessive calorie consumption activates the pathway. Once switched on, there is
a tendency to overeat, further promoting overconsumption and leading to a
vicious cycle.
If a way could be found to block the pathway, it could help fight the growing
epidemic of obesity and overweight and the related diseases.
Overweight and obesity are fast becoming an enormous public health concern.
Among all U.S. adults, one of three is overweight, and another one of three is
obese.
The problem of obesity is not limited to the U.S. In 2007, health experts
believe there are 1.8 billion people worldwide who are overweight or obese.
Drugs currently available to fight obesity provide only limited success but can
cause severe side-effects. Dietary changes and exercise for overweight and obese
people can be effective but only for limited periods. Long-term weight control
for them is difficult to achieve.
Safety Tip:
* Avoid overeating. It should help prevent becoming overweight by not
activating the pathway in your hypothalamus.