Genes that increase the risk of obesity but protect identified

London, February 28 (IANS): Researchers have identified a range of genes that are linked to both high levels of body fat and provide protection against some of the negative health effects of obesity.

According to the researchers, people with obesity tend to have unhealthy blood glucose and lipid levels, as well as high blood pressure. As a result, they are at greater risk for cardiovascular and metabolic disease.

But researchers have observed that up to 45% of people with obesity have healthy blood pressure and levels of glucose and lipids, and therefore may not be at high risk for disease.

“The genes identified appear to be beneficial to our health by helping to maintain healthy adipose tissue,” said researcher Tuomas Kilpelainen from the University of Copenhagen.

“Some of the genes may offer targets for the development of new therapies that reduce the risk of diabetes and heart disease by improving the health of our adipose tissue,” Kilpelainen added.

For the study, published in the journal Nature Metabolism, the team analyzed data from hundreds of thousands of people who had been assessed for their body fat and disease risk markers.

They identified 62 sections of the genome that were significantly associated with both high levels of body fat and a lower risk of cardiometabolic disease.

Further analysis showed that the genes had a range of functions in the body, including the regulation and development of fat cells, the distribution of body fat, as well as the regulation of energy and inflammation.

The researchers then performed the computer analyzes that identified the genes.

“We used a data-driven approach in this study, which led us to find new genes associated with fatty tissue health, instead of the known obesity genes associated with the central nervous system, which control satiety. and are generally linked to unhealthy obesity, ”the researchers said.

The researchers conclude that obesity is a complex disease, but not all people who are overweight are equally at risk of developing cardiometabolic disease.