Free Radicals Crucial to Suppressing Appetite.

[Jim__]

Free radicals supress appetite. But, if you consistently overeat, free radical creation is suppressed because they'll lead to cellular damage.

From Science News:

Obesity is growing at alarming rates worldwide, and the biggest culprit is overeating. In a study of brain circuits that control hunger and satiety, Yale School of Medicine researchers have found that molecular mechanisms controlling free radicals -- molecules tied to aging and tissue damage -- are at the heart of increased appetite in diet-induced obesity.

Published Aug. 28 in the advanced online issue of Nature Medicine, the study found that elevating free radical levels in the hypothalamus directly or indirectly suppresses appetite in obese mice by activating satiety-promoting melanocortin neurons. Free radicals, however, are also thought to drive the aging process.

"It's a catch-22," said senior author Tamas Horvath, the Jean and David W. Wallace Professor of Biomedical Research, chair of comparative medicine and director of the Yale Program on Integrative Cell Signaling and Neurobiology of Metabolism. "On one hand, you must have these critical signaling molecules to stop eating. On the other hand, if exposed to them chronically, free radicals damage cells and promote aging."

"That's why, in response to continuous overeating, a cellular mechanism kicks in to suppress the generation of these free radicals," added lead author Sabrina Diano, associate professor of Ob/Gyn, neurobiology and comparative medicine. "While this free radical-suppressing mechanism -- promoted by growth of intracellular organelles, called peroxisomes -- protects the cells from damage, this same process will decrease the ability to feel full after eating."

a little bit more ...

[TygrBright]

1. They need to study my mother-in-law.

She just turned 93. She is sharp as a tack, quite active, has (according to her physician) "the blood pressure and cholesterol readings of a 35-year-old" and rarely eats more than 1200-1500 calories a day. Although that's just an estimate. She doesn't count calories. She doesn't EAT much. She weighs maybe 97 lb.s fully dressed. Sleeps about 4 hours a night, naps a little during the day. All of that is a lifelong pattern.

I want her metabolism.

wistfully,
Bright

[MannyGoldstein]

2. So would antioxidants cause obesity?

Maybe this is why (IIRC) the longest life expectancy is among those who are overweight to mildly obese. They have problems due to weight (diabetes, joint issues) but fewer free radicals so less wear and tear on cells in general.

Life is very, very complicated!

[ashling]

3. Here's how it works

You are starved as you sit down at the table for a sumptuous repast of Chicken Fried Steak, Mashed Garlic Potatoes, fresh Purple Hull Peas, Macaroni and cheese, and lots of other goodies. As soon as you start to dig in, your Tea Party relatives show up.

Suddenly, you are no longer hungry.

:rofl: