14 DAY TRIAL // A new paper authored by Cambridge University researchers and published in the journal Cell details the discovery of a so-called hungry gene that specialists say might be responsible for the fact that some people gain noteworthy amounts of weight and end up being labeled as “obese.”
In their study, the scientists explain that, after looking into the genetic makeup of over 2,000 obese individuals, they found that it is not the hungry gene itself but mutations of it that appear to influence a person's body weight.
More precisely, they argue that, according to evidence at hand, people who carry a normal copy of the hungry gene, otherwise known as KSR2, have normal appetites and are therefore less likely to be obese.
Individuals who carry mutations of the gene, on the other hand, appear to have not just increased appetites, but also a significantly slower metabolism. Combined, these factors greatly up their chances to sooner or later find themselves suffering from obesity.
By looks of it, mutations of this gene promote obesity by reducing the cells' natural ability to effectively process glucose and fatty acids.
Although it has been known for some time now that a person's genetic makeup influences body weight, the Cambridge University researchers admit they were quite surprised to find that mutations of a single gene can affect both appetite and metabolism.
“Up until now, the genes we have identified that control body weight have largely affected appetite. However, KSR2 is different in that it also plays a role in regulating how energy is used in the body,” researcher Sadaf Farooqi commented on these findings, as cited by Science Recorder.
Given the fact that obesity is a significant health problem in various countries around the world, the researchers hope that their findings could serve to roll out better treatment options for this condition.
As specialist Sadaf Farooqi put it, “In the future, modulation of KSR2 may represent a useful therapeutic strategy for obesity and type 2 diabetes.”