OVEREATING CAUSES BRAIN INSULIN RESISTANCE, INCREASING DIABETES RISK

New research suggests that chronic overeating can lead to insulin resistance within brain cells, and when the brain becomes insulin resistant it fails to properly regulate the breakdown of fat stored in the body as well as the production of glucose by the liver.

While stored fats are important energy sources during fasting, their release into the bloodstream when the body is in a fed state, leads to multiple metabolic problems including elevated blood sugar and blood cholesterol, and increased levels of inflammation throughout the body. Previously it was believed that insulin's ability to suppress fat breakdown in healthy persons was entirely mediated through the fat tissue cells but recent findings suggest that brain cells’ response to insulin is a key regulator of fat breakdown. 

In this most recent study, Dr. Christophe Buettner and his research team at Mt. Sinai School of Medicine demonstrated, at least in rats, that overeating drives brain insulin resistance. For 10 days researchers fed one group of rats their usual weight- maintenance diet while they fed another group a diet with 150% of their caloric needs. The researchers then infused a tiny amount of insulin into the brains of both groups of rats. Unlike in the control diet group, in the overfed group, the addition of insulin to the brain failed to suppress the release of glucose from the liver and fatty acids from fat tissue. While this study was not conducted in humans, it is probable that a similar process of brain insulin resistance occurs in humans.  Certainly human studies have demonstrated that temporary overeating produces similar patterns of metabolic dysfunction in the liver and fat tissue. 

What to do: These findings remind us that not only excess weight but that overfeeding itself also drives insulin resistance and the metabolic problems that lead to diabetes and heart disease. Certainly, maintaining a healthy weight by following a healthy diet moderate in calories and getting regular activity minimizes the risk of diabetes.  But, even among persons with excess weight, avoiding overeating (even when weight loss is not achieved) can help to moderate insulin resistance and the processes that drive the development of diabetes.

Adapted from article available at: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/10/121017153911.htm & http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/02/110216123547.htm

Sources:

T. Scherer, C. Lindtner, E. Zielinski, J. O'Hare, N. Filatova, C. Buettner. Short Term Voluntary Overfeeding Disrupts Brain Insulin Control of Adipose Tissue Lipolysis. Journal of Biological Chemistry, 2012; 287 (39): 33061 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.M111.307348.

Thomas Scherer, James O'Hare, Kelly Diggs-Andrews, Martina Schweiger, Bob Cheng, Claudia Lindtner, Elizabeth Zielinski, Prashant Vempati, Kai Su, Shveta Dighe. Brain Insulin Controls Adipose Tissue Lipolysis and Lipogenesis. Cell Metabolism, 2011; 13 (2): 183 DOI: 10.1016/j.cmet.2011.01.008

TRICKS FOR KEEPING HALLOWEEN HEALTHY

According to a recent study, the average child gains 2.2 lbs of extra weight from eating Halloween candy.  Because many children are overweight or at risk of becoming overweight, this Halloween weight gain can have serious health consequences. Here are some tips for how trick-or-treaters can enjoy a healthier, lighter Halloween. Here are tips for kids and on the reverse, for adults.

For Kids

·    Try providing a moderately sized trick-or-treat basket and establishing that no more treats than can fit in the basket can be collected.  Also consider offering non-food treats or small sums of money that they can trade the treats in for.

·    A good meal prior to parties and trick-or-treating.  By filling up on healthy choices, everyone will feel less of an urge to splurge on sweets after trick-or-treating is over. It is also a good idea to provide healthy alternatives for you and your kids. Keep a ready supply of nuts, reduced-fat cheese sticks, and fresh fruit on hand.

·    Set an example.  If children see you taking handfuls of candy they are likely to follow suit.  Try to emphasize quality over quantity.  Eat candy slowly and teach your children to savor it.  Have a contest to see who can eat a piece of candy the slowest.

·    Try to ration treats for the days following Halloween.  One way to ration the candy and encourage moderation is to number small pieces of paper from one to five and place them into a hat. Every day for two weeks, have your children pick a number and whatever they choose, that's the amount of candy they may have for the day.

·    It may not be easy but try shaping at least part of your kid's Halloween experience around something other than candy.  This could be making seasonally themed art projects such as masks or carving pumpkins and/or attending seasonal events such as haunted houses, hay rides, pumpkin patches, or corn mazes.

·    Sugary foods like candy, especially carmel-type candy that sticks to the teeth and sour candies that are acidic, promote tooth decay.  To minimize damage to the teeth, rather than spreading candy intake throughout the day, try to limit intake to occurring at the end of 1-2 meals per day.  Dentists recommend rinsing with water after eating candy and then waiting about 20 minutes before brushing because the acidic environment created by many candies can actually make the teeth vulnerable to damage when brushed. 

For Adults

·    Establish a "no leftovers" rule at the office for yourself. For all your careful preparation at home, it's sometimes hard to avoid the leftover candy colleagues bring to work. Stashing healthy snacks in your desk drawer or keeping chewing gum on hand to keep your mouth busy may help to stave off temptation.

·    Don't get taken in by clearance sales.  After Halloween, stores will try to move leftover candy as quickly as possible. By avoiding the candy aisle altogether, you won't be tempted to take advantage of the lower prices.

·    Allow yourself a treat so you don't feel deprived. No one said you shouldn’t enjoy a little splurge on Halloween. It is, after all, an occasion that comes but once a year. Treat yourself to one or two small pieces of dark chocolate (with nuts, if you like).

·    Before you pop that innocent looking fun-sized Snickers bar into your mouth it may help to put the calorie count in perspective. A 150-pound person burns about 60 calories during a 15-minute, moderately paced walk.  That means you'll have to stroll for at least 30 minutes to cancel out two of those tiny treats. Before you start, ask yourself if you can you really stop at a couple and is the calorie cost really worth it to you.

·    For the trick-or-treaters that come to your home, buy candy you don't like to limit the temptation. For example, if you're a chocoholic, give out Smarties instead.  Or, if you know all candy is dangerous, consider handing out something non-edible but cool.  Items like glow necklaces, mini crayon packs, stickers, or temporary tattoos are often appreciated, especially as kids will have plenty of candy from other sources.

·    Also, to minimize the risk of having candy in the house, buy your trick or treat candy at the last possible minute and get rid of any leftover candy as soon as possible.