'Fat Gene' Discovery Could Help Fight Flab

[The Straight Story]

Scientists have discovered an obesity gene in mice which may explain why some people are more prone to weight gain than others.

Mice bred without the gene - dubbed IRX3 - were found to be almost a third lighter than rodents with the gene.

An equivalent gene exists in humans, and geneticists argue that targeting it with drugs may help doctors control obesity in the future.

The research has been carried out by geneticists at the University of Chicago. The team's findings were published in the journal Nature.

"Our data strongly suggests that IRX3 controls body mass and regulates body composition," said geneticist Marcelo Nobrego.

http://news.sky.com/story/1224975/fat-gene-discovery-could-help-fight-flab

[Kelvin Mace]

1. Murdoch outfit

Any more reputable source?

[dipsydoodle]

5. Search the geneticist if you don't believe it:.

.

[MADem]

2. Well, won't this change the world, if it pans out!

Of course, we've heard these sorts of teases before, but where there's research, there's hope, I should imagine...

Numerous other genes have been identified as contributing to obesity in the past, and experts have cautioned against placing too much hope on a simple pharmaceutical solution.

[Scout]

3. very interesting

i hope it gets peer reviewed and tested to death and is confirmed true.

[PhilSays]

4. I've lost 30 pounds since January.

Instead of eating 3,000 to 4,000 calories a day, I'm eating about 1,700 to 1,800 and exercising more.

So while people are waiting for this Fountain of Youthesque remedy, they should try my plan.

[JJChambers]

6. That takes effort; a pill takes none. Often, dieters want something for nothing.

[itsrobert]

7. Yup, you are right. eating less and exercising more

is the secret to losing weight.

Not much of a secret, but too many people think they can take an easy way out with pills or a miracle drug.

[Scout]

9. smug much? n/t

[nadinbrzezinski]

12. While that works

there is also a fact that you are gleefully ignoring.

There are metabolic conditions that make it extremely hard.

We are getting more and more science on this. I personally welcome that science. You might want to look up Adult Metabolic Syndrome, as that is just one facet of what I speak off here.

[phylny]

13. I have, I have.

I've struggled and worked and dieted. This research interests me because even when on weight watchers, I would spend weeks not cheating and lose a half pound. It sucks.

[Arugula Latte]

14. That generally works, but there are many exceptions --

and many people will hang onto weight even doing the exact same calorie/exercise program as you. So I wouldn't be so smug about it. It's not always so simple.

[Jamastiene]

8. You mean it is not always gluttony by poor people and southerners?

It seems on DU, that is always the reason for people being overweight. You mean there might actually be a gene for it?

[Scout]

10. no, on DU it's still just gluttony and laziness.

see post #4

[0rganism]

11. i hope the insurance companies don't figure out a way to screen for it

Yeah, they won't deny you coverage for your "pre-existing condition", but they can sure as hell charge more.