An international team of researchers has identified a new gene that plays an important role in obesity and insulin resistance, a condition that increases the risk of developing type 2 diabetes and heart disease. They suggest their findings point to a potential gene therapy approach to tackle these conditions.
In their background information the researchers explain that:
"Obesity develops as a result of altered energy homeostasis favoring fat storage."
In other words, obesity is what happens when the finely tuned processes that regulate food absorption and energy production go awry, and the balance (homeostasis) moves in the wrong direction: towards excessive storage of fat.
Insulin resistance is a risk factor for type 2 diabetes and other health problems. It develops when the body uses insulin, which is needed to control the amount of sugar in the body, less effectively than normal. The result is raised levels of blood sugar and fats.
Specific genes make people more likely to develop insulin resistance and diabetes. Excess weight and lack of exercise also contribute to insulin resistance.
More here.
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