Survey
* Your assessment is very important for improving the workof artificial intelligence, which forms the content of this project
* Your assessment is very important for improving the workof artificial intelligence, which forms the content of this project
Fat is Beginning to Make Sense Dr.Peter W. Kujtan Medicine Matters For thousands of years the basic premise of human survival depended on the ability to conserve body mass. Obesity was rare, and did not really aid survival. Obese people tend to suffer more heart disease, diabetes and other conditions. Canadians are in a minority situation on this planet. We consider ourselves “fortunate” to have access to a constant, varied and overabundant supply of items for ingestion. This is really a deviation from the “normal” human condition. In our environment, we are free to “enjoy” food, a function of our higher brain center. This emotion often overwhelms the more primitive signals which indicate that we have consumed enough. Our children are afflicted with the effects of obesity in record numbers. To understand obesity, you need to understand the functioning of fat cells. A new understanding into how these cells interact is emerging. It seems that we truly are what we eat. You don’t get diabetes by eating too much sugar, and eating fatty foods is not the cause of obesity. All foods are broken down to their basic elements which are used to rebuild and fuel our bodies. Fat cells are the newest organ, because they collectively communicate, interact and perform a unique function. It is now accepted that fat cells can multiply if extra fat storage is required. When this ability is activated in childhood by overeating, future adverse health can result. The foods we eat are broken down into components and the fat is stored in fat cells. It is then metabolized and released into the blood stream as fatty acids. Fat cells also secrete numerous messengers. Leptin is produced to signal the brain that the cell is full. The brain then turns off food cravings. Chronic overeating can desensitize this process. Fat cells also produce Resistin, which can contribute to insulin resistance and diabetes. Other substances such as Adiponectin can result in beneficial anti-inflammatory effects. Fat cells also make other unique substances such as Tumor Necrosis Factor and Angiotensinogen. All of these seem to interact to maintain our body weight. It is a remarkably efficient system. This system has the ability to regulate and maintain our weight to within a few ounces. Altering the sensitivity of this system by as little as two percent is enough to result in obesity within five years. Uncovering the physiology of this system will no doubt result in new weight reduction agents. Exercise and sensible eating is still the only way of achieving healthy weight loss. Reduction must come slowly for benefits to be obtained. The other message is that there is no such thing as a diet. To lose weight, permanent changes to what, when and how you eat must be made. Burning fat instead of sugar is a last resort for body survival. It produces ketone type substances which are thought to be harmful, and should be done with appropriate monitoring and advice.