Virus May Cause Obesity
by Joan Trombetti, Writer | August 27, 2007
Virus may cause obesity
Some researchers are now claiming that obesity may be the result of a virus. Although controversial, new research recently discovered that when human stem cells, more or less the blank slate of the cell world, were exposed to a common virus - they turned into fat cells. Not only did they change into fat cells - they stored them.
The findings were presented at the annual meeting of the American Chemical Society by Magdalena Pasarica, M.D., Ph.D., of the Pennington Biomedical Research Center, a campus of the Louisiana State University system.
The research suggests that the growing global epidemic of obesity, and widening waistlines in the U.S. confirmed in this week's research by the Trust for America's Health, may involve more than a lack of exercise and a love of high-calorie food.
"We're not saying a virus is the only cause of obesity, but this study provides stronger evidence that some obesity cases may involve viral infections," said Pasarica.
Does this finding explain why Americans are packing on the pounds? No. However, it does add to recent evidence that places the blame for expanding body fat on more than just eating in excess and lack of exercise.
According researchers, a common virus known as adenovirus-36, which is from a family of viruses that causes colds and pinkeye in humans may linked to obesity.
For further details, visit:
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/80164.php
The findings were presented at the annual meeting of the American Chemical Society by Magdalena Pasarica, M.D., Ph.D., of the Pennington Biomedical Research Center, a campus of the Louisiana State University system.
The research suggests that the growing global epidemic of obesity, and widening waistlines in the U.S. confirmed in this week's research by the Trust for America's Health, may involve more than a lack of exercise and a love of high-calorie food.
"We're not saying a virus is the only cause of obesity, but this study provides stronger evidence that some obesity cases may involve viral infections," said Pasarica.
Does this finding explain why Americans are packing on the pounds? No. However, it does add to recent evidence that places the blame for expanding body fat on more than just eating in excess and lack of exercise.
According researchers, a common virus known as adenovirus-36, which is from a family of viruses that causes colds and pinkeye in humans may linked to obesity.
For further details, visit:
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/80164.php
