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For thousands of years the basic premise of human survival depended on the ability to conserve body mass. Obesity was rare, and did not aid survival. Obese people tend to suffer more heart disease, diabetes and other conditions. To understand obesity, you need to understand the functioning of fat cells. A new understanding into how these cells function is emerging. It seems that we truly are what we eat. Fat cells are the newest organ. Collectively, these cells 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 constantly being 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 year, but it can be altered in a positive direction with regular exercise.
Uncovering the physiology of this system will no doubt result in new weight reduction agents. Exercise and sensible eating is still the only way to achieve healthy weight loss. Changing your diet can result in a new equilibrium at a lower weight without ever stepping on the scale. 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 eating patterns must be made. Withholding carbohydrates and burning fat instead of sugar is a last resort for body survival. This situation is currently being advocated by a few "diet plans". It is my belief that it is neither sustainable nor beneficial. The "cost" to survive in low sugar conditions is the production of ketones and other potentially harmful substances. As we learn more about the physiology of this process, I am certain that these diet fads will disappear. It still comes down to "grow fresh, prepare fresh, eat fresh" and I will see you on the ice!
Related resources:
● Dr. Oz Just 10 lbs - Zappos / Doctor Oz: Just 10. Get Your Just 10 Bracelet Now -- it's FREE! (U.S. residents only). DoctorOz.com and Zappos.com are teaming up to give you something tangible to wear as a daily reminder that you're worth it. The bracelet has "Just 10" on it so you can let everyone know that you're taking the steps toward a healthier life by losing just 10 lbs. Anyone can wear it, and YOU can have one for FREE!
● Dr. Oz's "Just 10 Pounds" Weight Loss Challenge.
● What Is Fat? from BBC News. Dr Tony Goldstone, an obesity expert from the MRC Clinical Sciences Centre at Hammersmith Hospital, Imperial College London, explains what fat is. Using an MRI machine, he explains why we need fat, how it differs, and why too much fat in the wrong place can be bad for us.
● Obesity and Fat Cells from Weight Loss Information
●
Decoding the Surprisingly Active Life of Fat Cells by Rob Stein, Washington Post Staff Writer
● The secret life of fat cells from Medical News Today
● Researchers Find Leptin Turns Fat-Storing Cells into Fat-Burning Cells from University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center
● 'Fat switch' makes cells turn to flab, study says from CNN.com Health
● Obesity - Lipocytes (Fat Cells) from AllRefer Health with pictures and images.