Metabolic Syndrome Linked to Cold Tolerance

[Mr. McD]

Newswise — Researchers from the University of Chicago have discovered that many of the genetic variations that have enabled human populations to tolerate colder climates may also affect their susceptibility to metabolic syndrome, a cluster of related abnormalities such as obesity, elevated cholesterol levels, heart disease, and diabetes.

More than 100 years ago, scientists noted that humans inhabiting colder regions were bulkier and had relatively shorter arms and legs. In the 1950s, researchers found correlations between colder climates and increased body mass index (BMI), a measure of body fat, based on height and weight.

Now, in a study published in the February issue of the open-access journal PLoS Genetics, scientists have found a strong correlation between climate and several of the genetic variations that appear to influence the risk of metabolic syndrome, consistent with the idea that these variants played a crucial role in adaptations to the cold. The researchers report that some genes associated with cold tolerance have a protective effect against the disease, while others increase disease risk.

http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/537642

[flying_wahini]

1. that IS interesting!

wonder where diet comes into this....??

when it's cold outside you tend to eat more.....

when it's hot.... you eat less....

guess we are more and more a product of our gene pools..

[trotsky]

2. Certainly makes sense.

Times of plenty are few & far between in colder climates. The better your body is at stockpiling that food energy (i.e., getting fat), the more likely it is you will survive.

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

3. Makes a lot of sense

I'm from Northern European stock, and, looking back on my family tree, I see a lot of stocky people. I'm also wondering on the link between fish eating and cholesterol. I take fish oil tablets, where my Viking ancestors just ate the fish from the sea....

[Captain Hilts]

4. Interesting! I have a great tolerance for the cold. nt

[flor de jasmim]

5. OK, now explain the tall, lanky Scandinavians!

[Warpy]

6. Recent development

Those old Norsemen might have been fearsome warriors, but they were shrimps by modern standards.

Only reliable, year round food supplies allowed their descendants to grow into giants.