Gene Linked To Rare Disease Activates Fat Breakdown
A gene earlier linked to a rare disease plays a critical role in the body's "finely tuned balance" of fat storage and break down, new evidence reported in the May Cell Metabolism reveals. The findings elucidate the mechanism underlying healthy fat metabolism and explain why people with the genetic condition known as Chanarin-Dorfman Syndrome (CDS), who carry a mutant version of the gene, suffer from the widespread buildup of fat in tissues throughout their bodies. [click link for full article]

MCP-1: The Missing Link Between Obesity And Insulin Resistance
Individuals diagnosed with metabolic syndrome often have excessive fatty tissue in and around their abdomen, high cholesterol, elevated blood pressure, and an inability to utilize insulin or blood sugar (insulin resistance) - symptoms that put them at high risk of coronary heart disease and stroke. The molecular mechanisms that link obesity and insulin resistance are the subject of intense investigation and are not completely understood. [click link for full article]

Death risk rises in women as obesity worsens (Reuters)
Reuters - Obesity is known to increase a person's risk of death and now, new findings from a study of more than 90,000 women indicate that the risk continues to increase as the severity of obesity worsens.

Study Links Obesity To Liver Failure
Researchers have found that obesity can put patients with acute liver failure at increased risk of mortality and other major complications, according to a new study presented today at Digestive Disease Week? 2006 (DDW). DDW is the largest international gathering of physicians and researchers in the fields of gastroenterology, hepatology, endoscopy and gastrointestinal surgery. [click link for full article]

Race May Be Risk Factor For Insulin Resistance
Black women - even if their weight is normal- may be at increased risk for insulin resistance, a condition associated with diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart vessel disease, according to new research by Wake Forest University School of Medicine."It is well known that obesity is a contributor to insulin resistance," said senior researcher Jorge Calles-Escandon, M.D. "Our research suggests that race may also be an important factor. [click link for full article]