The Obesity Gene

This isn't herbal, but nevertheless health related.

Science Daily reports that University of Michigan researchers have identified a gene that acts as a master switch to control obesity in mice. Deleting the gene seems to switch off the weight gain that is result of a high fat diet and also to protect against conditions that can lead to type 2 diabetes.

But what about other harmful effects of eating a high fat diet? Weight gain and type 2 diabetes aren't the only thing we need to be protected against. What about heart disease, diminished cognition and physical endurance? Do they know that deleting the IKKE gene ONLY stops weight gain? What else might it effect in the long term?

We really need to wake up and take responsibility for our own health. The "There's a pill for that" mentality has definitely gone too far. Is this what we're calling "health reform"?

Science Direct reports that exercise can reverse the harmful effects of high fat diet. Why mess around with the genes? Are we so lazy that we'd rather alter our genetic make up than exercise? Yes, obesity is on the rise especially in children and adolescents. This may be a direct result of a high fat diet, or it may be a combination of an unbalanced diet that doesn't provide all the various nutrients the body needs and the fact that most children and adolescents seem to be glued to a TV, computer or game station and get no exercise.