What can I eat on a no-carb diet?
https://ift.tt/2oJSiwG Sugar from carbohydrates can be an important source of energy when it is needed. If the body does not need all of the energy from carbs immediately, it stores it as glycogen in the liver and muscles. If a person eats more carbs than can be used or stored, the body converts these to fat cells for use later. If this energy is not needed either, it stays in the fat cells. A buildup of this excess from each meal may lead to weight gain over time. There are some simple ways to remove carbs from a diet without feeling as if the diet is restrictive. Here are a few simple tips and tricks to help cut carbs. 1. Limit refined bread and grains
People can use cauliflower as a pizza crust alternative.
One of the first things that may come to mind when people think of carbohydrates is bread. Bread today, especially white bread, tends to be high in refined flours, low in fiber, and a source of simple carbohydrates. But, as a study posted to Diabetes, Metabolic Syndrome and Obesity: Targets and Therapy notes, these highly refined grains may be more unhealthful than carbs from other sources, such as fruits and vegetables. Cutting out refined and processed bread and grains can be one of the hardest steps to take, but it may also be crucial for people who are looking to lose weight by cutting carbs. People may find it difficult to give up bread and associated products cold turkey, and it may help if they take it step-by-step. An example of how someone might do this is to stop eating packaged snacks, such as crackers and biscuits, in their first week of dieting. In the second week, they may also try giving up baked goods that could include cookies and muffins. In the third week, they can remove bread, and so on until they have eliminated all bread products from the diet. 2. Find alternatives such as vegetablesA lot of the time, what people miss is the function of bread more than the food itself. After all, bread and flour make up the base for everyday items such as pizzas, sandwiches, and pasta. Luckily, there are some low-carb vegetable versions of each of these that may eliminate the need for bread. For instance, shredded zucchini or yellow squash make for a good base for pasta. Mashed cauliflower can resemble a low-carb version of mashed potatoes. Cauliflower can also make a pizza crust alternative. 3. Find alternatives to floursThere are some flours available to low-carb dieters. Flours made from nuts, including almonds, acorns, and hazelnuts may be perfect for a low-carb diet. Many people on a low-carb diet also use coconut flour as a replacement. These low-carb flours are flexible, and people may want to try using them to make everything from fried chicken and pizza crusts to muffins and pancakes, to be able to include these in their diet. 4. Limit added sugars from beveragesEliminating carbs from food is one thing, but sugar slips into many beverages, some of which may be unexpected. Sugar-sweetened drinks include:
Even seemingly healthy drinks, such as fruit juice, may contain a large amount of sugar. Sugar-sweetened beverages are unhealthy in general. As noted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), frequently drinking sugar-sweetened beverages may influence: Researchers from an article posted to The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology also noted that liquids do not make the body feel full as solid foods do. A person who drinks liquid calories from sugary beverages may not even recognize that they are having extra calories and may still be hungry. Still feeling hungry after consuming empty calories may lead to overeating and weight gain. One of the easiest ways to cut unnecessary carbs out of a diet is to eliminate sugary beverages altogether. 5. Find alternatives to sugary drinks
Flavored water is an alternative to sugary drinks.
Water contains zero calories or carbohydrates, but there are also numerous ways to flavor water and give the taste buds a change. People can try replacing sugary beverages with unsweetened drinks, such as sparkling water, or infuse water with berries for a natural sweetness that also provides vitamins and minerals. Many herbs, fruits, and vegetables may add some of their flavors to water if people leave chopped pieces in a jug of water overnight. Suggestions for fruits and herbs that do this include:
After soaking the ingredients overnight, strain the flavored water and pour it into a bottle to drink throughout the day. These fruit infusions can be a flavorful alternative to sugary drinks. 6. Avoid packaged snacksPackaged snacks can be disastrous on a low-carb diet. Most dried, packaged goods will contain flour, sugar, or refined starchy ingredients, for example, potato or corn. As tempting as they may be, it is probably best to avoid packaged snacks unless they come from whole-food sources, such as a bar that has only fruits and nuts. 7. Find low-carb snacksWhen looking to cut carbs, a lot of people face the difficulty of what to snack on. Most packaged snacks are going to be high in carbs from ingredients that include potatoes, grains, and corn. Having low-carb options on hand may help to resist the urge to snack on less healthful foods. Some healthful snacks to have on hand include:
Eggs may be especially helpful as part of a breakfast or early snack. Eggs are low in carbs and high in protein, which may help a person feel full for longer throughout the day. A study posted to the journal Nutrition Research found that overweight males who ate a breakfast that included eggs ate fewer calories throughout the day than people who ate breakfast without eggs. Other helpful tipsThe following tips may help people stick to low-carb diets: Order protein style
Ordering a burger without a bun is a simple way to reduce carbs.
Since cutting carbs has become a popular way to lose weight, some terms have popped up to describe certain dietary preferences. For instance, ordering a burger or sandwich without a bun — also called ordering protein style — is a simple way to reduce the carb load of a meal by a significant amount. Many restaurants will offer lettuce leaves or other greens as a replacement for bread, which may still give a sandwich its handy, on-the-go feel. Ordering protein-style may also cover options for sides. Most places can easily remove starchy or carb-rich sides, such as potatoes or toast, and add additional vegetables to the plate. Ask for extra lemon at restaurantsAt a restaurant, there may not be many low-carb drink options, and an individual's cravings may be high. Lemon wedges or slices of lemon are a few simple alternatives that many restaurants have on hand. If someone asks for extra lemon to add to a glass of plain or carbonated water, it can transform their experience in a positive way. The lemon delivers some flavor, and the acids may also help digest the meal. When a strong craving hits, a low-carb sweetener, such as xylitol or erythritol, may add a sweet sensation to the drink and instantly create a low-carb lemonade. Read food labelsFood labels provide all the basic information about a particular food, making it much easier for people to understand what is going into their bodies. Reading these labels and weighing them against a carb-cutting diet plan may make it easy to see where carbs might be hiding. When looking at a food label, people should take the total carbs and subtract the amount of fiber. This gives the net or "real" amount of carbs. By comparing the real carbs to a person's dietary recommendations, it may help eliminate the guesswork and make it easier to see what foods fit into a diet. TakeawayA low-carb diet may be difficult to navigate at first, but for many people, it becomes a matter of familiarity or habit. Learning how to make tasty alternatives or having low-carb snacks or suitable options on hand may make cutting carbs easier and can make the transition to a low-carb diet much smoother. It may also be helpful for people to talk to a dietitian about the best way to eat in a low-carb way, and how to eventually transition back to a more sustainable and balanced diet later. Weight Loss via Obesity / Weight Loss / Fitness News From Medical News Today https://ift.tt/O45xlc September 5, 2018 at 01:49PM
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What are some low-carb bread alternatives?
https://ift.tt/2LXSLVh People who are avoiding bread, for example, as part of a low-carb or ketogenic (keto) diet, will often wonder what they can use to replace it. Many creative bread alternatives are now available. Some types are more complicated to prepare than others but provide a more bread-like mouthfeel. There are also many gluten-free bread alternatives for people who are intolerant to gluten. Bread alternatives can allow people to continue enjoying some of their favorite foods, which can make sticking to a particular diet more manageable. Sandwich bread alternativesBread alternatives that are suitable for making sandwiches include: 1. Ezekiel bread
Ezekiel bread is a healthful option containing organic grains and legumes.
Ezekiel bread is a healthful bread that got its name from a Bible verse that mentions an ancient process of bread making. Ezekiel bread contains organic grains and legumes, including:
These grains are whole, unaltered grains. Some Ezekiel bread contains other ingredients, such as sorghum or sesame. The grains in Ezekiel bread are allowed to sprout before the flour-milling process. The thinking is that sprouting increases the nutrients available in the bread, while also reducing the impact that the carbohydrates in the bread have on blood sugar. One slice of this bread contains 15 grams (g) of carbohydrate so people could incorporate it into a low-carb diet plan. However, as Ezekiel bread contains grains such as wheat and barley, it is unsuitable for people with gluten intolerance or celiac disease. 2. Cloud breadCloud bread, or oopsie bread, is very popular with low-carb and keto dieters. Cloud bread is a protein-rich alternative to regular bread and makes an excellent sandwich base or English muffin replacement. There are various recipes for cloud bread, but a simple version is as follows. Ingredients:
Recipe:
Cloud bread is a versatile, simple alternative to bread that many people on low-carb diets eat every day. 3. Eggplant disksA more straightforward alternative to sandwich bread is eggplant. People can cut the large end of an eggplant into disks that are 1-inch thick, season them to their liking, and then grill or bake them. Once they have cooled, these disks can be the base for a burger. For a deli-style sandwich, cut the eggplant lengthwise to form larger slices. 4. Portobello mushroom burger bunsPeople can also use large grilled or baked portobello mushrooms in place of bread. They can add the mushrooms to the grill during barbecue season to make low-carb burger bun substitutes. These may have a more substantial mouthfeel than other bread alternatives. Wrap and tortilla alternativesAlternatives for wraps and tortillas include the following: 1. Lettuce leaves
People can use iceberg lettuce leaves as a tortilla substitute when making wraps.
Big iceberg lettuce leaves can make fresh, flexible wraps. The outermost leaves of the lettuce are the largest, most flexible leaves, and they are often perfect for making mini burritos. People can break them gently off the head of lettuce to use them. Many lettuces, such as iceberg, romaine, or red leaf, are suitable for use as low-carb taco shell alternatives. Many people prefer romaine lettuce for this purpose, as the crisp ridge in the center of the lettuce provides a natural line along which to fold the taco in half. 2. Steamed collard greensA gently steamed collard green leaf is a more durable option for wraps and may provide some extra nutrients. Use collard greens when there is more filling for the wrap, or when the wrap needs to last a while before consumption. Collard greens are generally less likely to break than lettuce leaves. To steam the collard green leaves:
The leaves are now ready to make a delicious wrap. Another option is to blanch collard leaves by adding them to boiling salt water for 30 seconds and then quickly cooling them in an ice bath. 3. CabbageCabbage has a flavor that may be preferable for specific foods. A steamed or blanched cabbage leaf, prepared in the same way as collard greens, makes an ideal wrap for small, flavorful items, such as wontons, spring rolls, and dumplings. 4. Nori sheetsNori sheets are easy to use to make a wrap. They have a slightly salty taste and pair well with a range of foods, including hummus and eggs. However, nori sheets can become soggy quickly, so it is best to keep them separate from the filling until it is time to eat the wrap. Other alternatives for bread productsPeople who are avoiding bread and trying to stick to low-carb foods may miss eating their favorite comfort foods. The healthful replacements below may help satisfy any cravings. 1. Cauliflower pizza crust
It is possible to make a low-carb pizza crust using cauliflower and eggs.
A base of cauliflower and eggs can make a simple, low-carb pizza crust to satisfy people's urge for this popular food. Follow the recipe below to make a cauliflower pizza crust:
This crust is now ready for toppings and sauces, just like a regular pizza. 2. Zucchini lasagnaZucchini pasta is a low-carb alternative to pasta that people can also use to make lasagna. Thinly slice zucchini lengthwise and use the strips instead of pasta sheets. The result is a filling, familiar dish that is much lower in carbohydrates. 3. Almond flour pancakesMany people on low-carb diets like to satisfy their sweet tooth with a baked product. It is possible to make baked, flour-based products, such as muffins and pancakes, both low-carb and gluten-free. For example, people can use the recipe below to make almond flour pancakes: Ingredients:
Mix the ingredients in a bowl until smooth and allow the batter to sit while the pan heats up. Pour the batter into the pan and flip it when the edges become dry. These pancakes will need to be a bit smaller than regular pancakes, as nut flours do not have the same elasticity as wheat. 4. Sweet potato toastSweet potato has become quite popular as an alternative to bread. People can use the following steps to make toast with it:
Sweet potato toast works well with a variety of savory and sweet toppings, including eggs and avocado or peanut butter, banana, and cinnamon. TakeawayPeople who choose to remove bread from their diet may be losing a staple item from their favorite meals. However, there are many healthful bread alternatives that they can use in its place. Bread alternatives can seem challenging to use initially, but people are generally quick to adjust to them. Once people are familiar with these bread alternatives, they may not notice the lack of regular bread in their diet. Except for Ezekiel bread, the bread alternatives in this article are all appropriate for people who are intolerant to gluten. Weight Loss via Obesity / Weight Loss / Fitness News From Medical News Today https://ift.tt/O45xlc September 4, 2018 at 05:49PM
Weight loss: Plant-based drug 'switches off' hunger
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Researchers find a compound that can 'turn off' hunger.
Obesity affects more than 1 in 3 people in the United States — that's more than 93 million people. Worryingly, that figure looks set to continue rising. Obesity has a complicated cocktail of causes, all of which need to be addressed before we can see any significant changes across society. There are metabolic, psychological, social, and genetic factors to obesity, and these can all be present in individuals with obesity to differing degrees. That said, if there was a simple, cost-effective drug that reduces appetite safely over the longer-term, it could make a huge difference. Researchers from Helmholtz Zentrum München in Germany believe that they might have found such a chemical. According to study author Dr. Paul Pfluger, doctors often ask people with obesity to lose 5–10 percent of their body weight each year, but this is rarely achieved. Dr. Pfluger claims that "breaking through this 'magical barrier' is so important, as it leads to an improvement in metabolism and accompanying metabolic diseases such as type 2 diabetes." Introducing celastrolDespite there being several lifestyle interventions, people struggle to meet their weight loss goals. Because of this, any new intervention that could provide a push in the right direction could have major benefits. The scientists identified a potentially useful compound found in a plant used in traditional Chinese medicine. The chemical, called celastrol, is produced by the thunder god vine (Tripterygium wilfordii), which is native to South China. Over the years, the chemical has been tested as a potential treatment for rheumatoid arthritis and cancer. Then, in 2015, its potential to treat obesity was first examined. The scientists found that, in obese mice, this compound activated satiety centers, or areas of the brain that tell us that we are full; effectively, it "switches off" hunger. The most recent study to look at celastrol and its impact on obesity is published in the journal Diabetes.
Adipose tissue, or body fat, releases a hormone called leptin. When it binds to and activates leptin receptors, it triggers a feeling of being full. Some people become leptin resistant; this means that, although the chemical is still present in the blood and fat, it no longer elicits the same feeling of satiety, leading to overeating and obesity. Pfuhlmann explains, "Normally those affected lose that feeling of fullness because the respective hormone — leptin — no longer has any effect. Celastrol, the compound we examined, restores leptin sensitivity and thus the sense of satiety." Significant weight lossDr. Pfluger outlines the changes in behavior observed in the mice and their impressive weight loss: "The administration of celastrol resulted in a much lower intake of food. Correspondingly, we observed an average loss of about 10 percent in body weight within 1 week." We must now contain our excitement as we await the results from follow-up studies conducted in humans. However, Dr. Pfluger is confident that celastrol will work in the same way. He explains that the leptin system in mice is almost identical to that in humans, so hopes are high. We may not have to wait too long, either; human trials are already under way in the U.S. The authors are quick to explain that celastrol will not replace other lifestyle interventions, such as diet and exercise. It may, however, provide a useful boost to an individual's current weight loss efforts. Weight Loss via Obesity / Weight Loss / Fitness News From Medical News Today https://ift.tt/O45xlc September 4, 2018 at 10:46AM
How gut bacteria may help you diet and stay healthy
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Gut bacteria indirectly influence weight loss and health outcomes.
A study led by Prof. Mirko Trajkovski, from the University of Geneva in Switzerland, has been looking into how calorie-restricted diets can influence weight and overall health status. More importantly, however, the scientists have been interested in finding out why restricting caloric intake can render a person healthier. The study, conducted in mice and whose results were published in the journal Cell Metabolism, suggest that the populations of bacteria found in the gut have an important role to play when it comes to dieting and health outcomes. In the future, the scientists hope that their findings may eventually lead to better treatments for people living with obesity. Gut bacteria and toxic moleculesThe researchers worked with mice, whose feeding they controlled for a period of 30 days, so that their caloric intake was restricted by 40 percent. After this period, the team noticed that the mice's bodies were promoting the production of beige fat, a kind of fat tissue that is easily converted into energy, thus also leading to weight loss. In order to see what role gut bacteria might play in the process of becoming healthier following a calorie-restricted diet, the scientists transferred some of these bacteria from the dieting mice to a group of mice bred not to have gut microbiota. So, Prof. Trajkovski and team transferred the microbial communities from the dieting mice's ceca — that is, the first sections of their large intestines — to the guts of the mice raised in sterile conditions. The researchers found that simply performing this microbiota transfer allowed the mice to become leaner and produce more beige fat, despite staying on their regular diets. After analyzing the composition and behavior of these microbiota, Prof. Trajkovski and team observed that they produced fewer toxic molecules known as lipopolysaccharides (LPS). However, when the researchers tried to boost LPS levels so that they would reach their usual levels, they noticed that the mice with higher LPS saw fewer health benefits, despite dieting. 'A drug to simulate caloric restriction?'The researchers point out that LPS actually trigger an immune response as they activate a protein known as toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4). In the recent study, they noticed that mice that had been genetically engineered not to express TLR4 actually enjoyed similar health benefits to the ones seen by the rodents on the calorie-restricted diet. "Clearly the immune system not only combats infections, it also plays a key role in regulating metabolism," notes Prof. Trajkovski. Without activated TLR4, the mice not only produced more beige fat and thus saw more weight loss, but they also reacted better to insulin. These rodents' livers were also more effective at processing sugar and fat, and the mice became better at adjusting to colder temperatures. "This is turning into an entirely new field of research," Prof. Trajkovski says. After identifying these mechanisms, the team decided to test the effectiveness of two different compounds: one aimed at reducing LPS production, and the other aiming to block TLR4. Both of these drugs were effective in mice and induced a similar health outcome as that produced by calorie-restricted dieting.
The team included investigators from the IMED Biotech Unit in Gothenburg, Sweden, Inselspital Bern in Switzerland, and from the pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca. Weight Loss via Obesity / Weight Loss / Fitness News From Medical News Today https://ift.tt/O45xlc September 4, 2018 at 03:55AM
What to eat before a workout to lose weight and build muscle
https://ift.tt/2Nck1UN When choosing a pre-workout meal, it is important to aim for a balance of macronutrients. Macronutrients are dietary compounds that the body needs in large quantities to function correctly. The three macronutrients are:
Macronutrients are all key sources of energy, but each can contribute differently to a pre-workout meal. ProteinProtein supplies amino acids, and both are essential for a range of bodily functions, including the building, maintenance, and repair of muscle fibers. Eating a meal that contains a significant amount of lean protein before exercising can help to improve performance. Why is protein a good pre-workout food?
Consuming high-protein foods such as salmon before a workout can increase gains in muscle mass.
Protein can increase the amount of muscle mass gained from a resistance workout. Intense bouts of resistance exercise damage the muscles, but consuming protein increases the number of amino acids in the body. These work to reduce deterioration, synthesize muscle proteins, and stimulate growth. Consuming 20–30 grams of protein before a workout can result in an increased rate of muscle protein synthesis that lasts for several hours. High-protein foodsThe following are some examples of healthful foods that are rich in protein:
Anyone interested in gaining muscle should ensure that they receive an adequate overall daily protein intake. Research has consistently shown that consuming between 1.6 and 1.8 grams of protein for every pound of bodyweight is sufficient for building muscle. Many sources recommend consuming more, but any additional protein is unlikely to make a significant impact on muscle mass. Carbohydrates
People should consume complex carbohydrates, such as beans, 2-3 hours before working out.
Carbohydrates are an essential energy source. Consuming the right amount of carbohydrates before a workout will ensure that the body has enough energy to perform well. This is true for people engaging in cardiovascular and resistance exercises, among other kinds. However, different types of carbohydrates will have a different impact:
Which type of carbohydrate is better in a pre-workout meal?Complex carbohydrates have a number of advantages, for example:
The body digests complex carbohydrates more slowly than simple carbohydrates. To increase energy ahead of a workout, a person should consume complex carbohydrates 2–3 hours in advance, and any simple carbohydrates 30–60 minutes in advance. Complex carbohydrate foodsBelow are some examples of healthful foods that contain complex carbohydrates:
Fruits provide the best source of simple carbohydrates before a workout. Bananas are a popular choice, as they contain potassium as well as simple carbohydrates. FatsFats are an essential energy source. Traditionally, medical professionals have advised against consuming high-fat meals before exercise because the body digests fats more slowly than carbohydrates. This means that the body may not be able to break down and absorb fats before a workout begins. Can fats help before a workout?
Avocados are rich in unsaturated fats, which are necessary for a balanced diet.
Before a workout, it may be better to eat a meal that focuses more on protein and carbohydrates than fats. However, it is important to incorporate healthful fats elsewhere in a balanced diet. It is also worth noting that not all fats are healthful. Certain types, most notably saturated and trans fats, can negatively impact overall health. Healthful-fat foodsOther types of fats are, however, highly nutritious. Unsaturated fats, for example, provide a range of health benefits. Below are some foods rich in unsaturated fats:
When to eat a pre-workout mealIdeally, a person should eat a meal rich in complex carbohydrates and protein around 2–3 hours before exercising. Waiting a few hours after eating allows the body enough time to digest the meal. Alternately, a person may prefer a smaller meal that is mostly made up of simple carbohydrates. In this case, they need only wait for 30–60 minutes before working out. Weight Loss via Obesity / Weight Loss / Fitness News From Medical News Today https://ift.tt/O45xlc September 3, 2018 at 03:45PM
Exotic fruit may help fight obesity
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The camu camu packs a nutritional punch.
Obesity increases the risk of metabolic diseases such as diabetes. By 2030, it is estimated that more than 1 billion people on earth will be overweight. So, understanding the mechanisms involved in obesity and the conditions it promotes is vitally important. Over recent years, it has become clear that gut bacteria form part of this mechanism; they play a role in metabolism and therefore influence obesity-related diseases. Because consuming fruit improves the diversity of bacteria in the gut, benefits overall health, and reduces weight gain, it has become of particular interest to obesity researchers. Specifically, fruits that are high in polyphenols are considered to be most beneficial. For instance, some researchers have discovered that fruit extracts rich in these chemicals can reduce weight gain and improve insulin resistance. What is camu camu?Researchers from Université Laval's Faculty of Medicine in Canada recently decided to investigate the potential benefits of an Amazonian fruit called camu camu (Myrciaria dubia). Native to Peru and Brazil, the camu camu is a reddish-purple fruit that is similar to a cherry. Though indigenous people have long harvested the fruit, it has only recently started being cultivated and sold to a wider market. Camu camu is particularly popular in Japan. Although the acidic camu camu won't win any prizes for its flavor, which has been likened to a mix of sour cherry and lime, it is particularly rich in potentially healthful phytochemicals. In particular, it has high levels of antioxidants, including ellagic acid (which might protect against some chronic diseases), ellagitannins (which are thought to safeguard vascular health), and proanthocyanidins (a chemical with a range of posited health benefits). Camu camu's nutrient loadCamu camu also boasts an impressive vitamin C cargo of around 3,000 milligrams per 100 grams; that's 20–30 times more than kiwis, giving it one of the highest vitamin C contents of any fruit. The fruit's impressive nutritional haul was what intrigued study co-author Prof. André Marette; he wanted to know whether camu camu could positively affect metabolic disease and obesity. To investigate, he and his team fed mice a high-fat, high-sugar diet for 8 weeks. They gave half of the mice extract of camu camu each day. The findings were recently published in the journal Gut. By the end of the study, the mice that consumed camu camu extract had gained 50 percent less weight than those who did not consume the extract. When the team looked at the mice's insulin resistance, there were noteworthy changes there, too. Both glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity improved; meanwhile, levels of endotoxins and inflammation decreased. Specific changes in the animals' microbiome were also measured.
Low levels of A. muciniphila have been linked to inflammation and specific conditions, such as irritable bowel syndrome. Transplanting the microbiomeIn the next phase of their experiments, they transplanted the gut bacteria from the camu camu-fed mice into germ-free mice, which are animals bred to have no gut bacteria. These rodents also saw the beneficial metabolic changes seen in the camu camu-fed mice, although only temporarily. Prof. Marette takes this as evidence that the camu camu "exerts its positive metabolic effects, at least in part, through the modulation of the gut microbiota." The next, natural step is to take this research to humans; and because the fruit is already widely marketed, safety concerns are minimal. Of course, no single fruit is going to cure obesity or metabolic disease; both are complex and multifaceted. However, because of the prevalence of obesity, if a fruit compound could help — even in a relatively minor way — it might have a significant impact for the population at large. It is tempting to jump the gun, but proof of camu camu's ability to alter metabolism in humans will be needed first and foremost. Weight Loss via Obesity / Weight Loss / Fitness News From Medical News Today https://ift.tt/O45xlc September 3, 2018 at 03:51AM
What role does insulin play in immunity?
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Researchers investigate how insulin affects immune responses.
Recently, specialists from the Toronto General Hospital Research Institute (TGHRI) in Canada have investigated the impact of insulin on the immune system. How did they come to realize that insulin played any role in immunity at all? Dr. Sue Tsai and team saw that people with type 2 diabetes, or with obesity that places them at risk of diabetes, have much poorer immune responses to infections and pathogens compared with healthy people. A quick and effective immune response is vital to how efficiently the body can destroy viruses and fight infections, so it is important to understand which factors contribute to a weakened immune system. Previous research from the TGHRI revealed that a type of immune cell called T cells found in abdominal fat induce pro-inflammatory responses, which negatively affects the body's responsiveness to insulin. This suggests the existence of an important link between chronic inflammation, poor immune responses, and insulin resistance. Such findings motivated the scientists to delve deeper into the possible interactions between insulin and T cells, and why these immune cells might stop responding to the hormone. "The link between insulin and the immune system is not obvious," says Dr. Tsai, "it is fascinating to learn that immune cells, which require energy and nutrients for proper functioning just like all other cells in the body, are also regulated by metabolic signals from insulin." The results of the new study now appear in the journal Cell Metabolism. Insulin 'a novel co-stimulator' of immunityDr. Tsai and team were able to pinpoint an insulin signaling pathway that boosts the activity of T cells, allowing them to quickly multiply and send out further signals, activating the rest of the immune system as necessary.
"Our work characterizes the role of this signaling pathway in immune cells, mainly T cells, opening up avenues in the future to better regulate the immune system," he explains. The researchers worked with mice that they genetically engineered to express T cells that did not have insulin receptors, so as to simulate insulin resistance. To see how effective the T cells were, the scientists exposed them to different types of pathogens, including the H1N1 strand of flu. The research team found that the T cells without insulin receptors had weaker responses and needed more "danger" signals than usual in order to react to the threat. This, explains Dr. Winer, is because "the insulin receptor or signaling molecule is like a second push to the immune system to ensure that it can fight off the infection with the best possible weapons it has." When the immune cells were unable to "sense" insulin and respond to it, they were inefficient in fighting pathogens. "T cells are at the heart of so many diseases," notes Dr. Tsai. "If we can understand them at the cellular level, this will give us the best opportunity to find new pathways to target for new therapies." The researchers believe that, in learning more about insulin's immunity-boosting properties, we may, in the future, be able to use this knowledge to develop more effective treatments for inflammatory diseases, such as arthritis and Crohn's disease. Weight Loss via Obesity / Weight Loss / Fitness News From Medical News Today https://ift.tt/O45xlc September 2, 2018 at 03:55AM |
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