2023-07-06 09:03:21
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It is well known that obesity is a problem that greatly increases the risk of developing various diseases. But what is less known is that obesity also has an impact on the brain. In particular, a study showed how obesity modifies the nutritional response of the brain.
The still poorly understood link between the brain and weight gain
Obesity has reached alarming proportions in recent years, posing significant health problems for those who suffer from it. Obesity is indeed associated with a host of physical ailments, including cardiovascular disease, diabetes and joint problems. While the impact of obesity on overall well-being is widely recognized, it is important to know that the effects of excessive body fat accumulation extend beyond the physical realm, affecting the complex functioning of our brain.
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Researchers from Yale University and the University of Amsterdam conducted a study on the impact of obesity on the brain. According to the results of their study published in the journal Nature Metabolism, brain responses to specific nutrients are diminished in people who suffer from obesity. The researchers also observed that these changes in nutritional responses appeared permanent and did not improve even after weight loss.
It should be understood that eating behavior is the result of the integration of complex metabolic signals that travel from the intestine, other organs and circulation to the brain, and vice versa. This process triggers feelings of hunger and satiety. The researchers wanted to test this mechanism in obese people. For this purpose, they infused specific nutrients (lipids or carbohydrates) directly into the stomachs of 30 participants with a healthy body weight and 30 obese people.
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Obesity decreases brain responses to certain nutrients
At the same time, the scientists measured the participants’ brain activity using fMRI and single-photon emission tomography (SPECT). Observations focused on dopamine release and the striatum, a part of the brain that regulates the will to actively seek out and consume food and affects the formation of emotions and habits. Participants with a healthy body weight were observed to exhibit specific patterns of brain activity and dopamine release following nutrient infusion.
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In contrast, these brain responses were attenuated in obese participants. ” These deficiencies can contribute to overeating and resulting weight gain. “wrote the researchers. Following this experiment, participants with obesity were asked to follow a 12-week diet, resulting in an average body weight loss of 10%. It was found not to be enough to restore brain responses in obese people. According to the researchers, this suggests that long-lasting brain adaptations occur in the context of obesity and persist even after weight loss.
However, the researchers clarified that these changes were not necessarily permanent. Moreover, they also said that the results of this study could help to develop new therapies against obesity. As a reminder, a protein has been identified as a key link between appetite suppression and obesity.
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