I just wanted to give a brief overview of how obesity, inflammation, and type 2 diabetes are related for this week’s class. After reading a few research articles on the subjects I found that obesity essentially causes chronic inflammation. This has been verified in studies by high plasma concentrations of molecules such as tumor necrosis factor, interleukin-6, and C-reactive protein. In fact, it is the adipose tissue itself that acts like an organ and secretes hormones and cytokines that can cause this inflammation. The resulting chronic inflammation has been found to be the cause of insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes. Since this is a relatively new subject in science, the exact mechanisms and causes are not fully understood and are currently being investigated.
http://www.idf.org/home/index.cfm?unode=c659495d-7467-45c0-8a19-5b3d8ea3d172
I came across this article while searching for more information on diabetes and obesity. The article comes from the International Diabetes Foundation. Some of the statistics in it are extremely alarming. For example, the article states that diabetes and other diseases that result from obesity are responsible for more deaths annually worldwide than AIDS. It also explained that obesity and diabetes caused by obesity are worldwide epidemics. I may be alone in this, but I always envisioned obesity and resulting health problems to be more prominent in the US and parts of Europe. However, the article states that it’s becoming a major problem in “low to moderate income countries” like South Africa, Egypt, and Mexico. The article really conveys a sense of urgency and calls for a worldwide effort to change diets and lifestyles. I’m just curious to hear everyone’s views on the matter. What do you think?
Finally, I was wondering if anybody was able to come across any information on how to effectively screen for this “silent inflammation.” I know blood tests can reveal markers like C-reactive protein but as the previous post states, C-reactive proteins do not indicate inflammation exclusively.
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I think it's a very interesting concept that Western-izing diets are having a huge effect on obesity and diabetes in countries where not that long ago it was unheard of. During the Olympics, I learned that the #1 restaurant in China was...Kentucky Fried Chicken!!
There's also the idea that there is a "thrifty gene" in certain populations, such as Native Americans that predispose them to gaining weight...this may be also true in populations where food was never before in abundance.
I truly feel as though there is a great sense of urgency to identify the factors contributing to obesity and diabetes. Clearly, everyone today came to the same conclusion that a lack of physical activity and an increase in consumption have contributed; however, I truly feel in many cases there are other pieces to the story. Zoe mentioned the "thrifty gene" theory for certain populations; and I must echo that there definitely appears to be a great genetic link or predisposition to obesity and diabetes in many individuals. While weight loss appears to be a simple formula (energy out > energy in), why is it that there is such high individual variability in metabolic responses to diet and exercise?
I heard about how lower income countries are also having problems with obesity before this class. From my understanding this outbreak of obesity within these countries is due to the increase in available food within them. Before these countries suffered from famine regularly, yet with improvements and help from different groups, food is now more readily available within these countries. Since the citizens are not used to this abundance of food, many are overeating or eating improperly and becoming obese. I think that the thrifty gene also plays a role in this as well. I just thought this was interesting…
Yeah, that's a very interesting concept and hopefully there will be some future studies addressing it.
Adipose tissue as an organ really is an interesting concept. I quickly referenced a dictionary to define what an organ is considered: a part of an organism that is typically self-contained and has a specific vital function. With this said, what is the vital role of fat in our bodies...
1. they are key components in cell membranes and hormones - not to mention, they help conduct the electrical signal down a nerve
2. fat cells are good insulators (and in bears and babies be a source of heat)
3. it's needed for vitamin absorption
4. it protects our organs and bones from shock and provide structure for our guts
5. ... The list goes on, but it is not my point to recount each way fat is necessary for us
If fat is necessary - which it is, and is always putting out a slurry of cytokine signals (which I think it is, but correct me if I am wrong - as I didn't read the articles that you all did) - where's the damage? Is there a possibility that adipose tissue uses this innate feature in an attempt to be altruistic? When cells of the immune system are summoned to the tissue, what are the consequences for the cells that 'cried wolf'?
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