Overweight Individuals also have Overweight Friends

As the saying goes, “birds of the same feathers flock together”, a recent study in Southern California found out that overweight youth are twice as likely to have overweight friends.

Researchers from the Institute of Prevention Research at the Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California have found out that overweight individuals also have overweight friends, based on school surveys.

The link between social networks and obesity is already expected; however, it is quite surprising how strong the peer effect is and how it starts early in life.

Recent data had shown a connection between overweight adults  and their social peers; however,  a more recent study was conducted on adolescents and showed the same results despite a stronger statistical model used.

According to researchers these findings will certainly raise health concerns because when children started to mingle only with people who have similar weight status, then it can cause a reinforcement of a negative behavior which causes obesity.

Aside from finding out that overweight adolescents have more overweight friends than normal weight friends, the researchers have also found out that overweight girls name more friends but are less likely to be labeled as a friend unlike normal weight girls.

Because of this findings, the researchers are suggesting that interventions should be done before it can lead to a greater social stigma. Parents and teachers should be sensitive enough to recognize that obesity in adolescents can also bring social consequences and that many behaviors related to obesity can be developed.

Scientists have Proven a Connection between Obesity and Diabetes

A university study that was conducted in Australia has found out that a proven connection between obesity and the onset of diabetes type 2. Because of these findings, new drugs can be developed in order to prevent the occurrence of the disease.

The team of researchers were led by Associate Professor Matthew Watt at the Monash University. The results of their study were published on the journal entitled, Cell Metabolism for the month of July.

The researchers have found out that fat cells are releasing a novel protein called pigment epithelium-derived factor or PEDF. This protein would activate a series of events leading to the onset of diabetes type 2.

According to the researchers, once PEDF was released by the fat cells, it enters the bloodstream. PEDF causes the muscles and the liver to become desensitized to insulin causing the pancreas to produce more insulin as a compensatory mechanism.

Because of the attempt of the pancreas to compensate, the workload of the pancreas is increased. Eventually, the pancreas will slow down or stop producing insulin which results to type 2 diabetes.

Based from the researchers’ observation, the more fat cells a person has, the more the body becomes less sensitive to insulin; thus, more amount of insulin is needed in order to maintain regular levels of blood glucose.

The researchers also claimed that aside from discovering the effects of PEDF to the development of type 2 diabetes, preventing its release can also help in preventing the development of diabetes.

Long before, scientists are suspecting a strong connection between obesity and diabetes. With the discovery of PEDF, this could be a big breakthrough on how to prevent type 2 diabetes. The results of this study will also benefit patients with type 2 diabetes. Weight loss should be stressed to obese people in order to prevent the development of such diseases.

Oral Bacteria may be Associated with Obesity

Obesity is now being considered as a worldwide epidemic because of the increase in the number of people who are becoming overweight.

Researchers have been considering the fact that obesity might be caused by an infectious agent, particularly an oral bacteria. Researchers have been studying about the possible causes of obesity in order to prevent the epidemic that is apparently increasing every year.

Researchers believe that this preliminary work may provide some clues between the connections of oral bacteria to the pathology of obesity.

In this study, the researchers are trying to compare the difference between the bacterial composition of the saliva of overweight women and non-obese women. J.M. Goodson and his colleagues have measured the bacterial composition of obese women and non-obese women. They have collected saliva samples for 313 subjects composed of obese women. The results of the salivary composition were compared against 232 healthy women who are not overweight.

DNA analysis was used to determine the bacterial composition and population in the saliva. Based from the data that the researchers have found, bacteria called Selenomonas noxia were present in almost 98.4% of the samples from the obese women. The levels of the bacteria present in the saliva were more than 1.05% of the total salivary bacteria.

Based from the analysis, the composition of bacteria in the saliva changes as the individual becomes obese. These bacteria may be an indicator that obesity is developing. Researchers suggest that there is a need for further research to be able to determine that oral bacteria really have something to do with the pathology of obesity.

Eating Fatty Foods can Trigger Hunger Hormones

A recent study suggests that eating fatty foods can trigger the hunger hormone called ghrelin.

Ghrelin is actually a hormone that is accumulated during fasting. However, it is also found to be in high levels right after eating. Ghrelin was called the hunger hormone because it stimulates hunger in the brain and results to increased food intake.

However, the production of ghrelin hormone is not that easy. It is very unique because it requires a fatty acid before it can be activated. Before, experts thought that the fatty acids that were in the chemical structure of ghrelin was produced by the body during periods of fasting. This was until researchers have found out that the fatty acids attached to the enzyme to form ghrelin actually came from the fatty foods that we ingest.

The study used mice as their subjects, and found out that mice with more enzymes for ghrelin formation who were given with fatty foods gained more fat than those who have fewer enzymes in their system. The main reason for this is because the brain of the mice do not receive signals that fat is in their system and it needs to be stored.

Aside from that, researchers have also found out that during fasting, the levels of ghrelin are flat; however, upon introduction of fats, levels soar. They concluded that if fats are not provided, the levels of ghrelin in the body will remain inactive. Researchers are looking in an angle wherein ghrelin won’t be activated so that obesity will be prevented. Further studies will be conducted regarding this matter.

Obese Adults have Greater Risk of Developing Pancreatic Cancer

We all know that obesity poses a lot of serious health conditions; however, researchers have found out another addition to the health conditions which can happen due to obesity.

According to research, young adults who are obese have higher risks of developing pancreatic cancer.

Statistically speaking, pancreatic cancer is the fourth leading cause of deaths related to cancer on both genders in the United States of America. Based from the evidences that were gathered by the researchers, they have found out that this rate has something to do with the increasing rate of adults who are becoming overweight or obese.

The study showed that those who were obese prior to the diagnosis of pancreatic cancer have a poorer prognosis than those who are not obese.

Obesity can cause numerous health conditions but experts are still unable to explain its association with specific medical conditions. However, researchers tried to observe the relationship of the body mass index of a person to the development of pancreatic cancer and they found out that being overweight for a long period of time increases the risk of developing pancreatic cancer.

Young adults who are obese have an increased risk of having pancreatic cancer at an earlier time compared to those who are not obese but also have other risk factors.

Despite these results, the researchers admit that this study still needs confirmation; but it is apparent that obesity will do no good to the body. Experts suggest that as early as possible, obesity should be prevented. This can be done through proper diet and regular exercise.

Drinking Milk in the Morning can Help in Weight Loss

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day and it shouldn’t be skipped because through it, we are able to gain energy to perform daily activities. However, a very light breakfast won’t be enough especially if your activities are strenuous. Therefore, having a heavy and satisfying is important to keep the body going.

Aside from that, It is also important to eat breakfast so that the metabolism is functioning normally. However, besides eating breakfast, an Australian study suggests that drinking meal during breakfast can help in reducing hunger pangs during lunch time. As a result, drinking milk at breakfast can help in weight loss because the person won’t feel too much hunger and would not eat more.

Actually, the study had 34 subjects composed of overweight men and women. These were divided into two groups consisting of those who drink skimmed milk everyday in the morning and those who drink fruit juice in the morning.

Based from the results of the study, those who were drinking milk at breakfast were less likely to feel hungry at lunch time and would eat less because they still feel full.

Researchers are suspecting that the possible cause why these people feel full is because of the protein and the lactose content. Thus, the research suggests that drinking milk during breakfast promotes a feeling of satiety which is essential in a weight loss management program.

This study suggests that drinking milk at breakfast can help obese people to lose weight. More details of the mentioned study will be published on the July issue of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.

Sufficient Vitamin D in the Body Promotes Weight Loss

Based from a study, the levels of Vitamin D in the body can help in weight loss. Adequate exposure to sunlight will trigger our skin to produce Vitamin D, and according to a new research, more levels of Vitamin D in the body while following a low calorie diet will improve weight loss.

This research had 38 subjects consisting of overweight men and women undergoing a calorie restricted diet for eleven weeks. The subjects’ levels of Vitamin D were checked before and after the study. Researchers have found out that most of the participants were deficient in Vitamin D. Thus, it gave the researchers a theory that Vitamin D is associated with obesity. However, they are still unsure whether it was Vitamin D deficiency which caused the obesity or it was obesity that caused the deficiency of Vitamin D.

Based on the data of the participants, most of them have insufficient levels of Vitamin D. However, those with adequate levels of Vitamin D were able to lose weight more effectively while undergoing a low calorie diet.

Researchers said that more studies are needed in order to prove this theory; but, they’ve found out one thing: sufficient levels of Vitamin D in the body, together with calorie-restricted diet promote weight loss.

Aside from sunlight, there are also foods that are good sources of Vitamin D. These foods include fatty fishes like sardines and mackerel, egg, and beef liver. Including these foods in one’s diet can be helpful in getting adequate Vitamin D.

NEWS: Latest Studies Found New Evidence that Vinegar Can Prevent Weight Gain

A recent study conducted in Japan has shown new evidence about the health benefits of vinegar. According to researchers in Japan, the ordinary vinegar, which is usually used in salad dressings and other foods, is able to provide health benefits like what the folk medicine has told us. The study showed that vinegar can prevent weight gain by inhibiting accumulation of fat in the body.

It is very well known that vinegar is used in folk medicine ages ago. Folk medicine believed that vinegar has a lot of health benefits. A lot of people have been using the vinegar for different illnesses in the ancient times. According to modern science, the acetic acid content of vinegar helps in controlling blood sugar levels as well as addition of excess fat in the body.

Researchers have found out that acetic acid can fight fats by triggering the genes that are responsible for fatty acid oxidation enzymes. The genes release proteins or enzymes that are involved in breaking down fats. Thus, accumulation of excess fat in the body is inhibited.

This research will be further discussed and published in the July issue of American Chemical Society’s Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry.

NEWS: Food and Drug Administration Bans more Weight Loss Supplements

More weight loss supplements have been found dangerous by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Because of the increasing number of people who are becoming overweight, many companies are taking advantage of it and producing low quality weight loss supplements that can even pose serious threat to one’s health.

Last April, the FDA announced the banning of Hydroxycut, a popular weight loss supplement, and related products. The banning is due to the fact that Hydroxycut is linked to various complications such as hepatic and renal failure. This is very alarming because Hydroxycut is widely used by many as it can be purchased in various stores nationwide. The manufacturer of Hydroxycut which is Iovate Health Services has already voluntarily pulled out fourteen Hydroxycut products and the FDA is encouraging people who bought this product to throw them away immediately.

The FDA has subsequently released lists of banned weight loss supplements since last year and recently added more weight loss supplements to the list. Up to this moment, the total number of banned weight loss supplements is 72. Consumers should be aware of these banned weight loss supplements to avoid harm.

The FDA is doing their job in protecting public health by providing necessary information; thus, consumers should also do their job to be informed about the latest news concerning health.

See the complete list of diet pills banned by the FDA here: FDA Banned OTC Diet Pills

NEWS: Use of Hydroxycut is now being prohibited by FDA

In Washington, Health officials of the government have warned the public about the consumption of Hydroxycut. Body builders and dieters are informed that Hydroxycut use should be stopped immediately because it has been associated to grave damage to the liver. One death was already reported related to this case.

The manufacturer of Hydroxycut has already agreed to recall fourteen Hydroxycut products from the market, according to the Food and Drug Administration. These products are those that are sold in pharmacies and groceries. The manufacturer of Hydroxycut markets the product as made from all natural ingredients.

Twenty three liver damage cases have been reported and one death of a nineteen year old young man. These cases were announced by Dr. Linda Katz. This death happened last 2007 but was just reported this March.

Since liver damage happens, symptoms would include yellowish discoloration of the skin, or medically termed as jaundice. One patient was subjected to liver transplant while the another is on a waiting list for liver transplant. Such liver problems occur after taking Hydroxycut because these patients have a healthy liver prior to intake of the mentioned drug.

The manufacturer of Hydroxycut, which is Iovate Health Sciences, agreed to recall all their products. Iovate Health Sciences is a manufacturing company based in Canada. The company agreed because of the reported cases since consumer safety is always the priority. For consumers who have purchased the product, a refund will be provided upon return of to the store.

According to Dr. Katz, it was quite difficult to prohibit the use of Hydroxycut because liver damage cases are not much aside from the fact that the Food and Drug Administration doesn’t have control over these diet pills unlike medicines.

Although the exact Hydroxycut ingredients which causes the liver damage are not specified, the occurrence of liver damage should be enough to prohibit the use of this drug.

The Food and Drug Administration has warned consumers to always be careful whenever they purchase diet pills or weight loss supplements. Consumers should be wise enough to determine which diet pill sounds promising and too ideal.