Discover how a high-fat diet impacts your metabolism and biological clock, potentially leading to obesity and disrupting hormone regulation, even with regular fasting.
Can a diet high in fats lead to obesity? Or does it actually affect the biological clock? That’s what this study explores.
What do we mean by “biological clock”?
The biological clock is responsible for regulating the activity of various enzymes and hormones involved in food metabolism. Any disruption to its normal function can cause negative effects, such as hormonal imbalances, obesity, psychological disorders, sleep disturbances, and even anxiety.
Researchers have found connections between a healthy diet and the proper functioning of the biological clock in the body.
Study Details
The researchers analyzed how the biological clock regulates the adiponectin hormone in the body and how this affects metabolism and a diet high in fat.
The adiponectin hormone is produced by fat cells and participates in the metabolism of glucose and fats. It increases the oxidation of fatty acids and enhances the sensitivity to the hormone insulin, which are two key factors in maintaining healthy metabolism.
The experiment was conducted on different mice, divided into two groups: one group ate a diet low in fats, while the other ate a diet high in fats. After a period of fasting for both groups, various measurements related to the adiponectin hormone were taken.
The study showed that in the mice that ate a low-fat diet, adiponectin secretion was significantly higher, positively impacting the biological clock and metabolism. However, in the mice that ate a high-fat diet, the biological clock and metabolism were negatively affected.
The researchers concluded that following a diet high in fats reduces the effectiveness of the key enzyme responsible for regulating fatty acid metabolism, even if you fast regularly.
Read more: Is obesity a risk factor for developing type 3 diabetes?
In the article published in the journal Endocrinology, the researchers claim that a diet high in fats leads to obesity, not simply due to high calories, but because of disruptions to the proper functioning of the biological clock in the body.
Disrupting the biological clock, according to the researchers, leads to malfunctions in metabolism and disturbances in other bodily functions like blood pressure, the immune system, and sleep patterns.
FAQ
Can a high-fat diet directly cause obesity?
It’s not just about the calories! A high-fat diet can disrupt your biological clock, messing with your metabolism and potentially leading to weight gain.
What is the role of the adiponectin hormone?
This hormone, produced by fat cells, is a key player in glucose and fat metabolism. It helps with fatty acid oxidation and insulin sensitivity, both crucial for a healthy metabolism.
How does fasting relate to high-fat diets and metabolism?
Even regular fasting may not fully counteract the negative effects of a high-fat diet on the enzyme responsible for fatty acid metabolism.
