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High fat diet may cause brain changes, leading to increased desire to eat
UPI ^ | Sept. 9, 2019 / 12:16 PM | By Tauren Dyson

Posted on 09/09/2019 2:16:29 PM PDT by Red Badger

Researchers say that a diet too high in fat could change microglial cells in the brain, causing animals -- including humans -- to consume more in order to satisfy energy needs, and become obese.

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In mice, consumption of a high-fat diet caused physical changes to the brain, seemingly making the body seek more food to satisfy energy requirements. File Photo by Gena73/Shutterstock

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Sept. 9 (UPI) -- Hamburgers, french fries, pastries and other fat-filled foods can create neurological changes that may lead to obesity, a new study says.

During an experiment, mice who ate a high-fat diet experienced hypothalamic inflammation which caused physical changes to their microglial cells, researchers report in a study published this month in Cell Metabolism.

The cells, which draw energy from food, were considerably smaller in the animals. The study suggests this leads them to consume more food to stay properly energized, researchers say.

"We were intrigued by the fact that these are very fast changes that occur even before the body weight changes, and we wanted to understand the underlying cellular mechanism," Sabrina Diano, a researcher at Yale University and study lead author, said in a news release.

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The researchers found shrinkage of the microglial cells' mitochondria was caused by Uncoupling Protein 2, or UCP2, which controls energy use in the cells. This, in turn, influences the hypothalamus' ability to regulate energy and glucose homeostasis, which could lead to overeating.

The high-fat diet triggered inflammation that caused UCP2 to activate the microglial cells. That interaction affected neurons in the brain, which led to mice in the high-fat diet group to consume more food and become obese.

But when the researchers removed UCP2 from the cells, the mice ate less and became less likely to gain weight.

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The researchers want to continue to learn more about the connection between the microglia and various diseases of the brain, like Alzheimer's disease. The neurological condition has been linked to changes in microglial cells, according to the National Institutes of Health.

"There are specific brain mechanisms that get activated when we expose ourselves to specific type of foods," Diano said. "This is a mechanism that may be important from an evolutionary point of view. However, when food rich in fat and carbs is constantly available it is detrimental."


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Food; Gardening; Health/Medicine
KEYWORDS: dietandcuisine
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To: Red Badger

eggs may be good for you... Eggs may be bad for you... Eggs may be good for you ... Eggs may be bad for you

Butter may be bad for you... Butter is ok for you... Butter may be bad for you

They don’t really know-


41 posted on 09/09/2019 2:54:18 PM PDT by Bob434
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To: dfwgator

Lot of ranchers who raise grass fed beef, lamb, etc arnt loading them up with antibiotics, and growth hormone, they don’t need to. For pig, I buy either heritage pig,ie: Berkshire, or wild boar. Fresh fish from the ocean, no farmed raised stuff, free range eggs, can see the difference in them as soon as you crack them open. Same with butter,etc. People will complain about the increased costs, but I eat a lot less (protein) than I used to, generally 4-6 oz.


42 posted on 09/09/2019 2:54:46 PM PDT by crosdaddy
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To: max americana

Bttt!!


43 posted on 09/09/2019 2:55:06 PM PDT by TomServo
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To: crosdaddy

I’d rather spend my money on food, than on medications.


44 posted on 09/09/2019 2:55:57 PM PDT by dfwgator (Endut! Hoch Hech!)
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To: grania

... (like added gluten)....
_______________________________________________
Gluten is nearly pure protein.

Back in the day (like 50 years ago),the only available *textured vegetable protein product* came from gluten. Basically, flour is washed and kneaded until all the starch is washed out. The result is an elastic, greyish mass that can then be shaped or extruded. That is gluten. It has a rubbery texture and is tasteless. It can be seasoned, but, in my experience, it takes a LOT of anything to flavor it. The best that can be said for it is it adds protein and bulk without any obnoxious flavor.


45 posted on 09/09/2019 2:57:02 PM PDT by reformedliberal
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To: Red Badger

The fats in “junk food” are mostly devoid of healthful fats: the Essential Fatty Acids and/or their derivatives, in a wholesome, unrancidified state. They in effect crowd out the desirable fats in the diet.

The dry weight of the brain is about 60% lipids; they are ideally largely made up of the EFAs and their derivatives.

This is one reason why breast feeding is more nutritious than formula feeding: Human milk is much higher in DHA (a derivative of the Omega-3 Essential, Alpha-Linoleic Acid) than is cow or goat milk; that is a vital nutrient for the developing brain.


46 posted on 09/09/2019 3:01:00 PM PDT by YogicCowboy ("I am not entirely on anyone's side, because no one is entirely on mine." - J. R. R. Tolkien)
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To: Red Badger

I’ve cut that stuff back a lot and I’m getting better. A bit at a time. Eliminating bread (at least 90%) has stopped a lot of diverticulitis pain.

Today I went to the quack for a followup on some routine blood lab work. I’ve lost 10 pounds which is a victory in itself. Most of my numbers are good to upper end of good. No highlights on the report. Those highlights on the report were made when my numbers started to get out of range.

The battle of the nearly never ending headaches was discussed again. I am slated to see a neurologist that I will probably baffle. This has happened before.

Quack wants me to try some medicine in the meantime. Propoanolol or something like that. I’m desperate and am willing to give something legit a go.

Chiro and accupuncture have helped a lot but going every day isn’t practical.

I need to visit the needler. It has been a while.


47 posted on 09/09/2019 3:12:58 PM PDT by wally_bert (Hola. Me llamo Inspector Carlton Lassiter. Me gusta queso.)
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To: dfwgator

I’ve never been to In-And-Out but I’ve heard good things about them from friends. Do they deliver? Out of state? Because we don’t have one here.


48 posted on 09/09/2019 3:21:47 PM PDT by Veto! (Political Correctness Offends Me)
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To: dfwgator

Agreed, me too. Fortunately, I’m 62 and I’ve not been on any medications at all. But when I was turning 50, I was well on my way to BPmeds, water pills, then on to statins, and metformin. I told my Doc, give me six months and she said ok, and she couldn’t believe her eyes when I came back in for the follow up visit. She thought the way I ate was really weird at the time, but she was/is open minded, unlike a lot of MDs, and now, of course, she is fully on board.


49 posted on 09/09/2019 3:36:17 PM PDT by crosdaddy
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To: grania

We eat grass fed beef, etc. as best we can...to avoid “chemicals”


50 posted on 09/09/2019 3:42:16 PM PDT by goodnesswins (White Privilege EQUALS Self Control & working 50-80 hrs/wk for 40 years!)
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To: Red Badger

*** “So, fat makes you fat?..................” ***

Nope... Butter makes your pants fall off

Here is the trick my friend, if you keep eating Carbs and add a bunch of Fat to your diet ... yep... you are going to gain weight.

If you quit eating Sugar/Carbs etc and eat more Fat (replace the Sugar & Carbs w Fat), you will get healthy and get off Meds and lose weight.

Ask me how I know


51 posted on 09/09/2019 3:44:27 PM PDT by TexasTransplant (Damn the Torpedoes! Full Speed Ahead!)
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To: Red Badger

*** “Portobello mushroom ‘buns’...............” ***

That looks Sooooo good!


52 posted on 09/09/2019 3:48:56 PM PDT by TexasTransplant (Damn the Torpedoes! Full Speed Ahead!)
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To: crosdaddy

Your diet sounds like mine, but I don’t eat pork. Had a mushroom omelet this morning cooked in butter. Yum.

However, I’m edging away from so much animal protein. Steak once a week, and I have a really delish recipe for Greek Lamb Burgers. Don’t eat chicken, but enjoy turkey now and then.

Dr. Perlmutter, who wrote the book Grain Brain extolling non-grain diets has a new book coming out next year advising a more plant-based diet. Still no grain, but more beans and other sources of protein. I found really delish bean burgers in my grocery’s frozen foods dept, and they are a fine substitute.

My freezer is full of frozen organic veggies and I make salads too, some dinner salads with eggs or meat. Ah, variety.

Anyway, this article just loads you up on carbs.....all the wrong stuff.


53 posted on 09/09/2019 4:05:50 PM PDT by Veto! (Political Correctness Offends Me)
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To: captain_dave

That’s my experience too - and they know it!

The worst thing to possibly do is to order large fries and wash it all down with a big ol coke.


54 posted on 09/09/2019 4:11:11 PM PDT by fuzzylogic (welfare state = sharing of poor moral choices among everybody)
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To: TexasTransplant
That looks Sooooo good!

It does indeed. I wonder how many $'s it adds to the cost of a cheeseburger? Just wait until a study comes out telling US how bad we are for eating Portobello's.

55 posted on 09/09/2019 4:55:51 PM PDT by BlackbirdSST (Is it time Claire?)
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To: fuzzylogic

Try the Frank Cannon diet:

https://youtu.be/WogFLPnwJio


56 posted on 09/09/2019 5:11:25 PM PDT by wally_bert (Hola. Me llamo Inspector Carlton Lassiter. Me gusta queso.)
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To: Red Badger

What a crock. It’s just the opposite. Fat satisfies and one feels less hungry. I’ve lost 30 lbs so far on keto, and intend to lose more. At a recent reunion an obese relative noticed my loss and inquired. I told her she’s been lied to all her life. Fat doesn’t make you fat. Carbs make you fat.


57 posted on 09/09/2019 5:17:39 PM PDT by Tucker39 ("It is impossible to rightly govern a nation without God and the Bible." George Washington)
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To: Red Badger
"High fat diet may cause brain changes, leading to increased desire to eat..." I've noticed that.😎
58 posted on 09/09/2019 5:20:20 PM PDT by Bonemaker (invictus mane)
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To: Veto!

“My freezer is full of frozen organic veggies and I make salads too...”

And I’d have to go to the hardware store and get some rope if that was going to be dinner.


59 posted on 09/09/2019 5:25:43 PM PDT by Bonemaker (invictus mane)
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To: Red Badger

I think that fatty foods and the invention of beer were the start of civilization.


60 posted on 09/09/2019 6:32:03 PM PDT by minnesota_bound
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