Nutrient-rich, low-calorie diets actually reprogram fat cells to keep the body thin

Sunday, January 17, 2010 by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger Editor of NaturalNews.com (See all articles...) Tags: fat cells, calorie restriction, health news

(NaturalNews) A study appearing in the American Chemical Society's Journal of Proteome Research has given further insight into the correlation between calorie restriction and weight loss. While it is known that calorie-restricted diets are effective at helping people to lose weight, it has now been found that fat cell proteins play an important role in regulating bodily fat stores and extending life.

Dr. Edwin Mariman and his research team sought out to further understand the relationship between fat cell proteins and weight loss. Prior animal studies have shown that low-calorie diets rich in valuable nutrients are effective at maintaining proper bodily weight and lengthening life span.

In order to understand how it works in humans, the team investigated the subcutaneous fat cells of a group of obese people that followed a five-week calorie-restricted diet. Besides the fact that the average participant lost over 20 pounds, researchers discovered that six fat cell proteins in participants' bodies had changed their composition throughout the course of the diet.

The significance of the discovery is that fat cell proteins instruct the body when and how to store fat. The composition change indicated that the low-calorie diet had actually restructured the proteins, signaling them to store less fat and to use it differently than before. Researchers believe the bodies of the study participants will now regulate themselves better, leading to better health and longer life.

According to researchers, being able to observe the marked changes in fat cell proteins will help verify the effectiveness of various methods of cutting calories to lose weight and gain better health.

Comments by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger

Fat cells aren't stupid cells: They're actually quite intelligent. In fact, the fat cells of your body may one day be called a whole new "organ." They exhibit remarkable adaptability and communication with other cells in the body.

The old model of thinking that fat cells are stupid like batteries -- just storing energy, then releasing energy -- is far too simplistic. What we now know is that fat cells respond to their environment and adapt to increase the survival of the whole organism (you).

That's why fat cells alter their composition in response to changes in calorie intake. It's as if the cells are morphing into new cells that are better adapted to a calorie-restricted diet.

This is also good news for dieters, because it indicates that you really can change your physiology by changing your diet.

Sources for this story include:
http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2009-...