WHAT MADE HUMANS ‘THE FAT PRIMATE’?
Early humans underwent critical shifts in how DNA was packaged inside fat cells. As a result, the human body’s ability to turn “bad” fat into “good”, calorie burning fat was reduced.… READ MORE…
THESE NEURONS AFFECT HOW MUCH YOU DO, OR DON’T, WANT TO EAT
Neurons in the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST) appear to regulate food intake. The neurons appear to form part of a network that controls appetite loss in mice.… READ MORE…
RESEARCHERS IDENTIFY NEW HUNGER PATHWAY IN THE BRAIN
Newly identified network in the hypothalamus alters feeding behaviors on a shorter timescale. The pathway affects food intake and body weight by releasing GABA, which may occur due to the detection, and not the consumption of food.… READ MORE…
FEAR OF NEW FOODS MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF LIFESTYLE DISEASES
Food neophobia, the extreme hesitation to try new foods, is associated with increased risk of developing chronic diseases, such as type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease.… READ MORE…
THE BRAIN CONSUMES HALF OF A CHILD’S ENERGY, AND THAT COULD MATTER FOR WEIGHT GAIN
New hypothesis proposes a variation in brain energy expenditure during childhood may be linked to increased obesity risk.… READ MORE…
AGING DELAYED IN OLDER MICE GIVEN BLOOD COMPONENT FROM YOUNG MICE
Supplementing eNAMPT in older mice with that taken from the blood of younger mice boosts the production of NAD, staving off the effects of aging. The findings provide a potential avenue for anti-aging interventions in humans.… READ MORE…
AN EXTRA BURGER MEAL A DAY EATS THE BRAIN AWAY
Neurodegeneration sets in earlier for those with unhealthy diets and lifestyle choices.… READ MORE…
SLEEPING WITH ARTIFICIAL LIGHT AT NIGHT ASSOCIATED WITH WEIGHT GAIN IN WOMEN
Exposure to artificial light while sleeping is associated with weight gain and an increased risk of obesity in women. Compared to those who slept without artificial light, those who slept with television or light on were 17% more likely to have an 11 pound or more increase in weight.… READ MORE…
STUDY LINKS IRREGULAR SLEEP PATTERNS TO METABOLIC DISORDERS
Irregular sleep patterns have been linked to an increased risk of developing metabolic disorders such as diabetes and obesity. … READ MORE…
HOW CHRONIC INFLAMMATION MAY DRIVE DOWN DOPAMINE AND MOTIVATION
Computational model sheds light on the impact chronic, low-grade inflammation has on the mesolimbic dopamine system and motivational impairments.… READ MORE…
GUT BACTERIA’S CONNECTIONS TO HUMAN HEALTH AND DISEASE
Study goes beyond evaluating the organisms in the microbiome, looking at the functions different bacteria may be performing.… READ MORE…
LIKE A LOT OF THINGS, WOMEN’S GUT MICROBIOMES APPEAR TO MATURE EARLIER THAN MEN’S
Young women have higher gut bacteria diversity than males, study reports. … READ MORE…