New Research Finds 8-a-Day May Be Needed to Cut the Risk of Dying From Heart Disease
By Tim Locke
Jan. 18, 2011 -- We’re all urged to eat five servings of fruits and vegetables a day, but new research finds eight servings may be needed to cut the risk of dying from heart disease.
The diet and lifestyles of more than 300,000 people across eight countries in Europe found that people who ate at least eight portions of fruits and vegetables a day had a 22% lower risk of dying from heart disease than those who ate three portions a day.
Each additional portion in fruits and vegetables was linked to a 4% lower risk of death.
One portion counted as 80 grams, such as a small banana, a medium apple, or a small carrot.
Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the U.S. and around the world, accounting for more than one in every four deaths in the United States, according to the CDC.
Average Intake of Fruits and Vegetables
The average intake of fruits and vegetables in the various countries was five servings a day.
Spain, Greece, and Italy were the leaders in fruit and vegetable eating. Italian men enjoyed 7.5 portions a day, and Spanish women 6.7 portions.
Healthy eating tailed off the further north the researchers looked in Europe.
U.K. men managed 4.1 portions a day, and women 4.8 portions.
Swedish men and women were the worst, with only 3.5 and 2.9 portions a day.
The researchers say factors like cost and availability of fruit and vegetables are likely to account for differences in intake.
Data came from the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC)-Heart study.
Every Portion Counts
Study researcher Francesca Crowe, MD, of the Cancer Epidemiology Unit at the University of Oxford in England, tells WebMD by email, “We do need to be cautious in our interpretation of these findings as participants with a higher intake of fruits and vegetables tended to be slightly healthier overall. So we are unable to say whether the association between fruits and vegetables and heart disease is causal.”
In other words, did the fruits and vegetables make people healthier, or are people who eat better also more likely to have healthier lifestyles?
Crowe says healthy eating also needs to be added to healthy lifestyle behaviors as well as other recommendations “such as not smoking, not having high blood pressure or high blood lipids [cholesterol] and being in a healthy weight range.”
Stepping up from five servings to eight servings a day might be hard, but Crowe says, “It may be a more manageable public health guideline to recommend that everyone increases their intake by one portion per day.
“This is a much more modest effect for an individual but if everyone could achieve this then at a population level the impact would be quite large.”
In a statement, Victoria Taylor, senior dietitian at the British Heart Foundation, says, “The take-home message is still that eating fruit and vegetables is healthy for your heart. We need to remember to make five portions our minimum as the more fruit and vegetables people ate the lower their risk of dying from heart disease became.”
Recent research from the British Heart Foundation and the University of Oxford suggested that 15,000 lives a year could be saved if everyone ate five servings a day.
Taylor continues: “We still don’t know exactly why we see this relationship between fruit and vegetables and heart disease. It may be something in the fruit and vegetables itself, but equally it could be something in the lifestyles of people who tend to eat more fruit and vegetables. There’s still work to be done by researchers to answer these questions.”
SOURCES:
News release, European Heart Journal.
Francesca Crowe, MD, Cancer Epidemiology Unit, University of Oxford, England.
British Heart Foundation.
NHS Choices: "Cardiovascular disease."
CDC.
Monday, January 24, 2011
Friday, January 21, 2011
The 9 Most Fattening Foods of Winter
Cold-weather favorites that can lead to winter weight gain.
By Kathleen M. Zelman, MPH, RD, LD
WebMD Weight Loss Clinic-FeatureReviewed by Louise Chang, MDControlling weight during the cold, dark days of winter is an issue for most of us. Studies show that many people gain at least a pound between November and January. And the worst part: That gain is usually permanent. Blame it on the cold weather that makes outdoor exercise less appealing, cravings for fattening comfort foods, and the seemingly endless weeks of holiday celebrating. And of course, you can hide your expanding waistline under layers of warm clothing. It's a wonder more of us don't gain more than a pound each winter!
Once you no longer have that youthful metabolism that lets you eat donuts, French fries, and fried chicken without gaining an ounce, it is time to cut down -- or even eliminate -- some of the most fattening foods, experts say. It's certainly OK to splurge on the occasional small portion of a decadent food, but most adults do better if they stay clear of the temptations.
"Keep in mind that it is easier to keep your weight stable than it is to take off the pounds" says Jayne Hurley, RD, senior nutritionist for the nonprofit watchdog group Center for Science in the Public Interest.
The foods that "talk" to us in winter tend to be hearty comforting and holiday favorites that are also often packed with artery-clogging fat, calories, and sodium.
"In summer there is an abundance of light foods, but when winter rolls around it is natural to want to beef up and yearn for richer foods," says Katherine Tallmadge, MS, RD, an American Dietetic Association spokeswoman.
And, of course, the American way is to have more than just one calorie-rich dish (witness the popularity of the holiday buffet). Studies show, the greater the variety, the more we eat.
"If there are 10 types of holiday cookies or several creamed side dishes, it only makes sense that you want to try them all," says Tallmadge, "and in the end, a wide variety encourages overeating."
Most Fattening Foods of Winter
So what are the worst winter foods, the calorie-packed culprits that we should stay away from? The truth, experts say, is that there really are no "bad" foods. A few bites of even the most fattening food can fit into your diet. But there certainly are foods that are worse for us than others. When you check out the nutritional numbers on these foods, keep in mind that most adults need fewer than 2,000 calories, 65 grams of total fat, and 20 grams of saturated fat each day.
Here are picks from the experts for the nine winter foods most likely to pack on the pounds:
1.Macaroni and cheese. It's an all-time favorite comfort food for both kids and adults, but it can wreak havoc with your diet. A 12-ounce serving of Stouffer's macaroni and cheese has 529 calories, 25.7 grams of fat, and 10.6 grams of saturated fat. Calories can climb higher when ingredients like high-fat meats or sausage are tossed in. And some restaurants even sell deep-fried mac and cheese as an appetizer! Your best bet when eating out is simply to find another side dish. At home, "modify the recipe by using a low-fat cheese, low-fat milk, and stretch it with additional vegetables to improve the nutritional profile and still taste great," says Liz Weiss, author of The Mom's Guide to Meal Makeovers.
2.Cream-based soups, bisques and chowders. "Warm soups and chowders feel so nutritious, but if they are loaded with cream, they are also loaded with calories," says Tallmadge. Soups also tend to be high in sodium, and if you crumble salty crackers into the bowl or top with cheese, the sodium level soars even higher. A one-cup serving of Harry's Lobster Bisque (Costco) has 380 calories, 27 grams of fat, 16 grams saturated fat, and 1,240 milligrams of sodium. The New England clam chowder at Chili's, meanwhile, has 940 calories, 65 grams fat, and 34 grams of saturated fat. "Choose soups that are broth based, like vegetable or minestrone, and pair it with a salad or a whole-wheat roll," suggests Tallmadge.
3.Cream- and cheese-based casseroles, or those topped with cheese, bacon, fried onions, or buttered crackers. Who doesn't love the traditional hash brown casserole, gooey with cheese and potatoes? But brace yourself, because one serving has 568 calories, 40 grams of fat and 21 grams of saturated fat -- and this is for a side dish! Creamed, scalloped, and au gratin dishes may start out with healthy ingredients like broccoli, green beans, or potatoes. But when you add cream, butter, and canned soups and top them with cheese, bacon, and/or fried breadcrumbs, you can easily quadruple the calories. "Shave calories by substituting low-calorie mix-ins such as fat-free sour cream, low-fat cheese, or reduced-fat soups," says American Dietetic Association spokeswoman Suzanne Farrell. For a tasty, healthy side dish, try oven-roasted vegetables -- 6 ounces of oven-roasted new potatoes has just 100 calories and 4.5 grams of fat.
4.Cheesecake treats. Cheesecakes are typically loaded with artery clogging fats. In just one slice of chocolate Oreo mudslide cheesecake from the Cheesecake Factory, you get 1,050 calories, 71 grams of fat, and 34 grams of saturated fat. And don't think ordering a muffin will save you when you're craving a cream-cheese treat. Starbuck's pumpkin cream cheese muffin has 490 calories, 24 grams of fat, and 6 grams of saturated fat. Better to skip these rich desserts and satisfy your sweet tooth with a 150-calorie Skinny Cow ice cream cone -- or suck on a peppermint for a mere 20 calories.
5.Chili and stews loaded with ground beef, sausage, and/or cheese. When you make them yourself, with small portions of lean meat, lots of vegetables and beans and a sprinkle of low-fat cheese, chili and stews can be nutritious and filling. But when you order them out, beware. At Chili's, a bowl of chili with cheese will cost you 500 calories, 35 grams of fat, and 15 grams saturated fat. At Quizno's, the bread bowl chili has 760 calories, 23 grams of fat, and 7 grams saturated fat. "Stews or chili have the potential to be very hearty, high in protein, and a great meal as long as you control the high-fat ingredients such as ground meat, sausage and cheese," says Hurley. Stick to your own recipe or go to Wendy's for a cup of chili with 220 calories, 6 grams of fat, and 2.3 grams saturated fat (without cheese or crackers).
6.Pies topped with whipped cream or ice cream. These winter favorites often start with healthy ingredients, like heart-healthy nuts or antioxidant-rich fruits, but they also include high-calorie ingredients. "Rich, buttery pie crusts on the top and bottom, sweet fillings, and the customary whipped cream or ice cream topping make these pies decadent and full of calories," says Farrell. A slice of coconut cream pie at Denny's, for example, will set you back 701 calories, 32 grams of fat, and 20 grams saturated fat. Shoney's apple pie a la mode has 1,203 calories, 53 grams of fat, and 23.7 grams of saturated fat in one serving -- equivalent to the total daily calories in some weight loss plans. "Skip the crust(s), add a dollop of light whipped topping, and serve yourself only a sliver" if you want to enjoy these desserts, suggest Farrell.
7.Cookies. Enjoying one small cookie is not a problem. "Most small (about 1 -2 ounces) cookies are around 200-250 calories, which is not bad if you eat only one -- but who can stop at one?" asks Tallmadge. The CD-sized cookies you commonly find at bakeries and restaurants pack a real caloric punch. At Dunkin' Donuts, the peanut butter cup cookie (4.5 ounces) has 590 calories, 29 grams of fat, and 13 grams saturated fat. At Panera, the shortbread cookie (2.5 ounces) has 350 calories, 21 grams of fat, and 12 grams saturated fat. So split it in half, or take along a 100-calorie pack of your favorite cookie.
8.Fried side dishes -- chili cheese fries, onion rings, and plain old French fries. Sadly, the most popular vegetable in the U.S. is the French fry, which is loaded with fat, calories, and salt. Most people think nothing of adding a side of 6-ounce fries to their order at McDonald's, even though it adds an additional 570 calories, 30 grams of fat, and 6 grams saturated fat. Sharing a Chili's Awesome Blossom (1/2 portion) gives you 1,355 calories, 101 grams of fat, and 18 grams saturated fat – all before the entree. A serving of Del Taco's chili cheese fries has 670 calories, 46 grams fat, and 15 grams saturated fat, while White Castle onion rings have 750 calories, 39 grams of fat, and 6 saturated fat. "Best bet: Have a side salad with your entrée and skip the high-calorie, deep-fat fried appetizer, and look for something that is not fried and has vegetables," says Hurley. Think bruschetta or edamame.
9.Creamy pot pies with pastry on the top and bottom. It looks innocent enough but when you have pastry on the bottom and top, you get a double dose of high-fat crust plus the filling. The individual Boston Market chicken pot pie has 780 calories, 47 grams of fat, and 17 grams of saturated fat. Forget the creamy pie and enjoy a roasted chicken breast and a whole-wheat roll for a fraction of the calories.
Beyond limiting the most fattening foods, here are some more general expert tips for avoiding winter weight gain:
Have plenty of low-sodium soups and stews that are broth- or tomato-based and contain lots of vegetables. Studies show that eating broth-based soup before a meal can fill you up and help you eat fewer calories during the meal.
Heat up your food with spices and peppers to give it more pizzazz so you won't miss the high-fat ingredients.
Use only lean meats in casseroles and other dishes. Even then, remember to keep portions reasonable.
Drink plenty of water with your meals
Include plenty of lean protein in your diet to keep you feeling full and satisfied
Replace cream in recipes with fat-free half-and-half or low-fat milk
Use 2 egg whites instead of each whole egg in recipes.
Get plenty of natural sunlight, and stay fit to keep your metabolism perking.
Keep your menus simple and reduce the number of choices to reduce the temptation to try everything, Tallmadge says.
During the holiday season, "keep your routine as normal as possible, and if you do splurge, just get right back on track so Thanksgiving dinner does not extend all the way to New Year's Day," says Hurley.
SOURCES: Katherine Tallmadge, MA, RD, author, Diet Simple: 192 Mental Tricks, Substitutions, Habits & Inspirations; spokeswoman, American Dietetic Association. Jayne Hurley, RD, senior Nutritionist, Center for Science in the Public Interest. Liz Weiss, author, The Mom's Guide to Meal Makeover. Suzanne Farrell, MS, RD, spokeswoman, American Dietetic Association. Calorieking.com web site.
By Kathleen M. Zelman, MPH, RD, LD
WebMD Weight Loss Clinic-FeatureReviewed by Louise Chang, MDControlling weight during the cold, dark days of winter is an issue for most of us. Studies show that many people gain at least a pound between November and January. And the worst part: That gain is usually permanent. Blame it on the cold weather that makes outdoor exercise less appealing, cravings for fattening comfort foods, and the seemingly endless weeks of holiday celebrating. And of course, you can hide your expanding waistline under layers of warm clothing. It's a wonder more of us don't gain more than a pound each winter!
Once you no longer have that youthful metabolism that lets you eat donuts, French fries, and fried chicken without gaining an ounce, it is time to cut down -- or even eliminate -- some of the most fattening foods, experts say. It's certainly OK to splurge on the occasional small portion of a decadent food, but most adults do better if they stay clear of the temptations.
"Keep in mind that it is easier to keep your weight stable than it is to take off the pounds" says Jayne Hurley, RD, senior nutritionist for the nonprofit watchdog group Center for Science in the Public Interest.
The foods that "talk" to us in winter tend to be hearty comforting and holiday favorites that are also often packed with artery-clogging fat, calories, and sodium.
"In summer there is an abundance of light foods, but when winter rolls around it is natural to want to beef up and yearn for richer foods," says Katherine Tallmadge, MS, RD, an American Dietetic Association spokeswoman.
And, of course, the American way is to have more than just one calorie-rich dish (witness the popularity of the holiday buffet). Studies show, the greater the variety, the more we eat.
"If there are 10 types of holiday cookies or several creamed side dishes, it only makes sense that you want to try them all," says Tallmadge, "and in the end, a wide variety encourages overeating."
Most Fattening Foods of Winter
So what are the worst winter foods, the calorie-packed culprits that we should stay away from? The truth, experts say, is that there really are no "bad" foods. A few bites of even the most fattening food can fit into your diet. But there certainly are foods that are worse for us than others. When you check out the nutritional numbers on these foods, keep in mind that most adults need fewer than 2,000 calories, 65 grams of total fat, and 20 grams of saturated fat each day.
Here are picks from the experts for the nine winter foods most likely to pack on the pounds:
1.Macaroni and cheese. It's an all-time favorite comfort food for both kids and adults, but it can wreak havoc with your diet. A 12-ounce serving of Stouffer's macaroni and cheese has 529 calories, 25.7 grams of fat, and 10.6 grams of saturated fat. Calories can climb higher when ingredients like high-fat meats or sausage are tossed in. And some restaurants even sell deep-fried mac and cheese as an appetizer! Your best bet when eating out is simply to find another side dish. At home, "modify the recipe by using a low-fat cheese, low-fat milk, and stretch it with additional vegetables to improve the nutritional profile and still taste great," says Liz Weiss, author of The Mom's Guide to Meal Makeovers.
2.Cream-based soups, bisques and chowders. "Warm soups and chowders feel so nutritious, but if they are loaded with cream, they are also loaded with calories," says Tallmadge. Soups also tend to be high in sodium, and if you crumble salty crackers into the bowl or top with cheese, the sodium level soars even higher. A one-cup serving of Harry's Lobster Bisque (Costco) has 380 calories, 27 grams of fat, 16 grams saturated fat, and 1,240 milligrams of sodium. The New England clam chowder at Chili's, meanwhile, has 940 calories, 65 grams fat, and 34 grams of saturated fat. "Choose soups that are broth based, like vegetable or minestrone, and pair it with a salad or a whole-wheat roll," suggests Tallmadge.
3.Cream- and cheese-based casseroles, or those topped with cheese, bacon, fried onions, or buttered crackers. Who doesn't love the traditional hash brown casserole, gooey with cheese and potatoes? But brace yourself, because one serving has 568 calories, 40 grams of fat and 21 grams of saturated fat -- and this is for a side dish! Creamed, scalloped, and au gratin dishes may start out with healthy ingredients like broccoli, green beans, or potatoes. But when you add cream, butter, and canned soups and top them with cheese, bacon, and/or fried breadcrumbs, you can easily quadruple the calories. "Shave calories by substituting low-calorie mix-ins such as fat-free sour cream, low-fat cheese, or reduced-fat soups," says American Dietetic Association spokeswoman Suzanne Farrell. For a tasty, healthy side dish, try oven-roasted vegetables -- 6 ounces of oven-roasted new potatoes has just 100 calories and 4.5 grams of fat.
4.Cheesecake treats. Cheesecakes are typically loaded with artery clogging fats. In just one slice of chocolate Oreo mudslide cheesecake from the Cheesecake Factory, you get 1,050 calories, 71 grams of fat, and 34 grams of saturated fat. And don't think ordering a muffin will save you when you're craving a cream-cheese treat. Starbuck's pumpkin cream cheese muffin has 490 calories, 24 grams of fat, and 6 grams of saturated fat. Better to skip these rich desserts and satisfy your sweet tooth with a 150-calorie Skinny Cow ice cream cone -- or suck on a peppermint for a mere 20 calories.
5.Chili and stews loaded with ground beef, sausage, and/or cheese. When you make them yourself, with small portions of lean meat, lots of vegetables and beans and a sprinkle of low-fat cheese, chili and stews can be nutritious and filling. But when you order them out, beware. At Chili's, a bowl of chili with cheese will cost you 500 calories, 35 grams of fat, and 15 grams saturated fat. At Quizno's, the bread bowl chili has 760 calories, 23 grams of fat, and 7 grams saturated fat. "Stews or chili have the potential to be very hearty, high in protein, and a great meal as long as you control the high-fat ingredients such as ground meat, sausage and cheese," says Hurley. Stick to your own recipe or go to Wendy's for a cup of chili with 220 calories, 6 grams of fat, and 2.3 grams saturated fat (without cheese or crackers).
6.Pies topped with whipped cream or ice cream. These winter favorites often start with healthy ingredients, like heart-healthy nuts or antioxidant-rich fruits, but they also include high-calorie ingredients. "Rich, buttery pie crusts on the top and bottom, sweet fillings, and the customary whipped cream or ice cream topping make these pies decadent and full of calories," says Farrell. A slice of coconut cream pie at Denny's, for example, will set you back 701 calories, 32 grams of fat, and 20 grams saturated fat. Shoney's apple pie a la mode has 1,203 calories, 53 grams of fat, and 23.7 grams of saturated fat in one serving -- equivalent to the total daily calories in some weight loss plans. "Skip the crust(s), add a dollop of light whipped topping, and serve yourself only a sliver" if you want to enjoy these desserts, suggest Farrell.
7.Cookies. Enjoying one small cookie is not a problem. "Most small (about 1 -2 ounces) cookies are around 200-250 calories, which is not bad if you eat only one -- but who can stop at one?" asks Tallmadge. The CD-sized cookies you commonly find at bakeries and restaurants pack a real caloric punch. At Dunkin' Donuts, the peanut butter cup cookie (4.5 ounces) has 590 calories, 29 grams of fat, and 13 grams saturated fat. At Panera, the shortbread cookie (2.5 ounces) has 350 calories, 21 grams of fat, and 12 grams saturated fat. So split it in half, or take along a 100-calorie pack of your favorite cookie.
8.Fried side dishes -- chili cheese fries, onion rings, and plain old French fries. Sadly, the most popular vegetable in the U.S. is the French fry, which is loaded with fat, calories, and salt. Most people think nothing of adding a side of 6-ounce fries to their order at McDonald's, even though it adds an additional 570 calories, 30 grams of fat, and 6 grams saturated fat. Sharing a Chili's Awesome Blossom (1/2 portion) gives you 1,355 calories, 101 grams of fat, and 18 grams saturated fat – all before the entree. A serving of Del Taco's chili cheese fries has 670 calories, 46 grams fat, and 15 grams saturated fat, while White Castle onion rings have 750 calories, 39 grams of fat, and 6 saturated fat. "Best bet: Have a side salad with your entrée and skip the high-calorie, deep-fat fried appetizer, and look for something that is not fried and has vegetables," says Hurley. Think bruschetta or edamame.
9.Creamy pot pies with pastry on the top and bottom. It looks innocent enough but when you have pastry on the bottom and top, you get a double dose of high-fat crust plus the filling. The individual Boston Market chicken pot pie has 780 calories, 47 grams of fat, and 17 grams of saturated fat. Forget the creamy pie and enjoy a roasted chicken breast and a whole-wheat roll for a fraction of the calories.
Beyond limiting the most fattening foods, here are some more general expert tips for avoiding winter weight gain:
Have plenty of low-sodium soups and stews that are broth- or tomato-based and contain lots of vegetables. Studies show that eating broth-based soup before a meal can fill you up and help you eat fewer calories during the meal.
Heat up your food with spices and peppers to give it more pizzazz so you won't miss the high-fat ingredients.
Use only lean meats in casseroles and other dishes. Even then, remember to keep portions reasonable.
Drink plenty of water with your meals
Include plenty of lean protein in your diet to keep you feeling full and satisfied
Replace cream in recipes with fat-free half-and-half or low-fat milk
Use 2 egg whites instead of each whole egg in recipes.
Get plenty of natural sunlight, and stay fit to keep your metabolism perking.
Keep your menus simple and reduce the number of choices to reduce the temptation to try everything, Tallmadge says.
During the holiday season, "keep your routine as normal as possible, and if you do splurge, just get right back on track so Thanksgiving dinner does not extend all the way to New Year's Day," says Hurley.
SOURCES: Katherine Tallmadge, MA, RD, author, Diet Simple: 192 Mental Tricks, Substitutions, Habits & Inspirations; spokeswoman, American Dietetic Association. Jayne Hurley, RD, senior Nutritionist, Center for Science in the Public Interest. Liz Weiss, author, The Mom's Guide to Meal Makeover. Suzanne Farrell, MS, RD, spokeswoman, American Dietetic Association. Calorieking.com web site.
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Microbes in Our Gut Regulate Genes That Control Obesity and Inflammation
ScienceDaily (Jan. 14, 2011) — If you are looking to lose weight in the coming year, you may need help from an unexpected place: the bacteria in your gut. That's because scientists have discovered that the bacteria living in your intestines may play a far more significant role in weight loss and gastrointestinal problems than ever imagined.
In a new research report published online in The FASEB Journal, researchers show that a deficiency of Toll-like receptor 2 (Tlr2) -- used by mammals (including humans) to recognize resident microbes in the intestines -- leads to changes in gut bacteria that resemble those of lean animals and humans. This discovery builds on previous research demonstrating that a deficiency of TLR2 protects against obesity, while at the same time promoting gastrointestinal problems like excessive inflammation. It also shows that genes controlling TLR2 expression play a very important role in one's gastrointestinal health and weight management.
"Our work highlights the remarkable capacity for an orchestrated reprogramming of the intestinal inflammatory network to overcome significant genetic challenges in the mammalian bowel," said Richard Kellermayer, Ph.D., a researcher involved in the work from the Section of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston. "The appropriate exploitation of this remarkable capacity may provide means for the prevention and optimized treatment of common metabolic (such as obesity and diabetes) and gastrointestinal disorders."
To make this discovery, Kellermayer and colleagues studied normal mice and mice deficient in TLR2 using the large intestinal lining of these mice. They compared the TLR2-deficient ones to the normal group, as well as the bacteria, the epigenome (more specifically DNA methylation, a molecular change in the DNA associated with decreased gene expression), and the gene expression of the animals. The researchers found that the absence of TLR2 leads to microbial changes in the gut that resemble lean animals and humans, as well as immunologic changes similar to those observed in ulcerative colitis.
"Every New Year, a significant percentage of us resolve ourselves to lose weight," said Gerald Weissmann, M.D., Editor-in-Chief of The FASEB Journal, "but national statistics on obesity show that we're failing fast. This research linking gut bacteria to TLR2 expression opens entirely new doors for weight control solutions, first by cementing TLR2 as a drug target for obesity, and second by providing further evidence that managing gut bacteria may be an important and effective way to control weight. The challenge, of course, is to find a way to tip the scales just enough to keep weight under control without causing serious gastrointestinal problems."
In a new research report published online in The FASEB Journal, researchers show that a deficiency of Toll-like receptor 2 (Tlr2) -- used by mammals (including humans) to recognize resident microbes in the intestines -- leads to changes in gut bacteria that resemble those of lean animals and humans. This discovery builds on previous research demonstrating that a deficiency of TLR2 protects against obesity, while at the same time promoting gastrointestinal problems like excessive inflammation. It also shows that genes controlling TLR2 expression play a very important role in one's gastrointestinal health and weight management.
"Our work highlights the remarkable capacity for an orchestrated reprogramming of the intestinal inflammatory network to overcome significant genetic challenges in the mammalian bowel," said Richard Kellermayer, Ph.D., a researcher involved in the work from the Section of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston. "The appropriate exploitation of this remarkable capacity may provide means for the prevention and optimized treatment of common metabolic (such as obesity and diabetes) and gastrointestinal disorders."
To make this discovery, Kellermayer and colleagues studied normal mice and mice deficient in TLR2 using the large intestinal lining of these mice. They compared the TLR2-deficient ones to the normal group, as well as the bacteria, the epigenome (more specifically DNA methylation, a molecular change in the DNA associated with decreased gene expression), and the gene expression of the animals. The researchers found that the absence of TLR2 leads to microbial changes in the gut that resemble lean animals and humans, as well as immunologic changes similar to those observed in ulcerative colitis.
"Every New Year, a significant percentage of us resolve ourselves to lose weight," said Gerald Weissmann, M.D., Editor-in-Chief of The FASEB Journal, "but national statistics on obesity show that we're failing fast. This research linking gut bacteria to TLR2 expression opens entirely new doors for weight control solutions, first by cementing TLR2 as a drug target for obesity, and second by providing further evidence that managing gut bacteria may be an important and effective way to control weight. The challenge, of course, is to find a way to tip the scales just enough to keep weight under control without causing serious gastrointestinal problems."
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