[ad_1]
A new study suggests that higher brain functions play a major role in weight loss
In a study of 24 participants in a weight loss clinic, those who achieved the greatest success in Weight loss terms have demonstrated more activity in the cerebral regions of the lateral prefrontal cortex badociated with self-control. The results of the study were published in the Journal of Cell Metabolism.
"What we have discovered is that in humans the control of body weight depends largely on the areas of the brain involved in self-control and self-control. the ability of long-term information, such as the desire to be in good health, in order to control immediate desires, "said Alain Dagher of the Montreal Neurological Institute and Hospital in Canada.
It is known that two hormones, leptin and ghrelin, trigger digestion by the body. in a weight loss setting. Previous research has confirmed that these hormone levels change rapidly when weight is lost.
"All those who lose weight see this change occurring in leptin and ghrelin.It's just that some people, for reasons we do not know, are able to maintain themselves – regulation facing this signal, "added Dagher.
To evaluate the role of these hormones and self-control in weight loss, researchers studied 24 subjects in a weight loss clinic. Before starting a standard 1,200 kcal / day diet, all participants had received a functional brain MRI, which evaluated areas including the lateral prefrontal cortex, badociated with self-regulation, and the ventral medial prefrontal interface. the cortex, a region of the brain involved in motivation, desire, and value.
The subjects were shown images of appetizing food and landscape control images. The researchers compared the response of brain activity to food images, particularly images of high-calorie foods, for each subject at the beginning, a month and three months.
"When we show images of appetizing food, the ventral medial prefrontal cortex The area becomes more active on fMRIs," said Dagher.
During the study, the researchers noted that after one month and three months, the signal from the ventral prefrontal cortex was extinguished and decreased the most in those who did better. losing weight. In addition, the signal of the lateral prefrontal cortex involved in self-control increased throughout the study.
"In fMRI, the area of self-control increased its activity and the area of value decreased its activity, and the amount of change was predictive of success, weight loss," Dagher added. [19659002] While all participants lost weight, those who achieved the greatest weight loss had fMRI levels indicating better self-control ability and, at the end of the 3-month study Ghrelin and leptin hormones began to return to baseline values, suggesting that a new set point had been reached.
"These findings suggest that weight loss treatments that increase self-control, such as Cognitive behavioral therapy can be helpful, especially when stress leads to overeating. Stress disrupts the control mechanism of the lateral prefrontal cortex, but you may be able to get people to look for a different strategy, "he said.
(1965) Business Standard staff do not have the same effect. does not edit this story and is automatically generated by a syndicated feed.)
[ad_2]
Source link
