Scientists, including leading Geneticist Dr Schadt, based in Seattle have discovered three different genes which can be directly linked with weight gain. This research, which employed a new technique used to identify genes, could dramatically increase the success of efforts to combat the modern day obesity pandemic by allowing drugs to be better targeted when treating this condition.

In the UK alone it is estimated that there are now 10 million adults and 2 million children suffering with obesity, with the growth of these figures expecting to continue. So good news for the NHS, whose policy has long been to combat these figures due to the escalating cost of treating obesityas well as other conditions which are commonly contributed to by this condition, including cancer and type 2 Diabetes. It is hoped that with this recent advancement that the same techniques used in this research will at some point be used in identifying and treating other conditions from a genial perspective.

This technique, knows as a ‘molecular network’ approach, identified three separate genes which can promote weight gain, these are – Lpl, Lactb and Ppm11. Under clinical conditions this discovery was achieved by selecting and categorising obesity within several mice and finding which gene traits they had in common.

Dr Eric Schadt’s findings, published in Nature, concluded that Obesity among other conditions are merely complex combinations of molecular networks and outside environmental factors which can be countered both medically and genetically. He Said “Our Analysis provides direct experimental support that complex traits such as obesity are emergent properties of molecular networks that are modulated by complex genetic loci and environmental factors”.

New research has been made public to suggest that a single glass of pomegranate juice may be able to cure impotence. The study, as conducted and headed by scientists at the University of California have published their findings within the Journal of Impotence Research suggesting that this could be a viable replacement to the prescription drugs currently available, such as viagra.

The study itself, which gave a daily helping of pomegranate juice to 53 male volunteers, found the fruit juice to be high in antioxidants which works to increase blood flow to the penis. How does it work you may be asking, well the juice also increases the levels of nitric oxide which is know to relax blood vessels allowing them to pass more blood quicker than they would usually.

For just over a month these 53 men continued to take the pomegranate juice until they switched to another form of fruit juice as part of the study. The results of the pomegranate leg of the research showed that up to 47% of those who took part in these experiments had improved their sexual function.

Winter-flowering heather, a common shrub readily available through garden centres here in the UK, has be found by chance to posses similar properties to that of best selling impotence drug Viagra. The new discovery, made by 55 year old Michael Ford on his allotment in Berkshire, has caused a new wave of grow-your-own Viagra enthusiasts ready to test out Mr Ford’s findings for their self. This sudden surge in interest for the plant has left many garden centres throughout the country triggering to get hold of sufficient stock to feed the current boom which does not look to be slowing.

The discovery itself came about as a result of the Berkshire allotment-holders experiments with fusions of drinks made from the plants which he grows. The drink in question, which roughly consists of 20g of the plant in 100ml of neat vodka, is extremely effective and can be consumed orally or applied topically. After he had ingested the concoction the effects were almost immediate, with Mr Ford sustaining an un-welcomed erection for an hour or so for the duration of which he hid out in his potting shed. Speaking to a journalist from the Telegraph, Mr Ford went on record to say “The effect was almost immediate. I had to stay in my potting shed for an hour or so before I could decently walk down the street.” 

The type of heather which was used in this sexual-enhancing potion is not native to the British Isle, with British heathers not containing the vital ingredient which provides these spectacular effects. They are however common in hybrid plants, many of which originate in the Balkan region of Eastern Europe and today being sold in hundreds of gardening stores nationwide. One leading garden centre, Wyevale Garden Centres, who boast some 106 outlets throughout the UK have experienced a dramatic rise in the number of weekend visitors compared to that of figures prior to the discovery. One spokesman for the group said “At first, it was just a trickle of inquiries, but now stores are virtually being besieged each weekend. We have had men buying dozens of the plants and, at one store in Croydon, there were men old enough to know better fighting over the last remaining trays.”

A recent report in the Daily Mail stated that women find it harder than men to stay in shape as they get older. It says that women should eat lots of protein to try to compensate for the muscle they start to lose during the ageing process. Older men, however, have no problems converting protein into muscle

The report is based on an experiment carried out on elderly people, which examined the effects of food on the production of muscle protein. When measuring body composition they found that total fat free mass, muscle mass and leg muscle volume were 25% lower in women than men. There were no differences in oestrogen and progesterone levels between the sexes but women had significantly lower blood testosterone levels than the men.

A study carried out by Manchester Metropolitan University and Edinburgh University discovered that unconfident teenagers would feel less awkward if they took more exercise. The five-year study revealed that teenagers’ physical self-worth decreased significantly between the ages of 11 and 16, particularly in females.

The study found that this corresponds with a drop in activity levels at this age, where there is a sharp decline in physical activity for girls aged 13-15, but not for their male classmates. The reason for this decline is attributed to increased self-consciousness common to adolescence as well as increased academic pressures.

Author of the study Gillian Burgess said: “We need to develop strategies within and beyond the national curriculum that helps encourage teenagers, particularly females, to engage in more physical activity…this can have a positive impact on their physical self worth as they will be able to excel both academically and physically”.

As obesity continues to increase and physical activity continues to decline in the United States, the disparity between the general population and low-income and minority populations continues to grow larger. The study, issued in the American Journal of Preventative Medicine, focuses on numerous policy and environmental barriers faced by populations with low rates of physical activity, and investigates how these barriers reflect broader social and environmental justice issues.

It is widely known that physical activity is vital to maintain optimal health, yet the study shows that 56% of Hispanic and 54% of African American adults reported no leisure-time physical activity, in contrast to 35% of non-Hispanic whites. Further data also found that little progress has been made to eliminate disparities in physical activity participation.

Physical activity is a critical and cost-effective component of public health but physical activity practitioners continue to face challenges on how to implement evidence-based, population-level interventions that are tailored for and effective in diverse communities. Unique circumstances and special environments can either support or deter active living in such communities, so this must be taken into account at all times. One cross-cutting theme in particular is the safety concerns related to crime. The study states “that the articles included in this special issue support a conclusion that we need to reclaim our open areas, streets, and parks for play, active recreation, and active transportation”. It continues, “the research reported here provides some initial direction for creating community environments and policies that will support and encourage diverse populations, even those from disadvantaged communities, to live active and healthy lives”.

The Robert Wood Johnson Active Living Program proposes that we start focussing our attention on the younger generation. More than 25 million US children and adolescents are overweight or obese so targeting this group will hopefully make the new generation, in all communities, start carving out an active life from an early age. This will in turn address the broader social and environmental issues.

People who suffer from obesity believe the causes of their weight problems are due to a number of behavioural factors – such as lack of physical activity and poor diet – rather than family history and genetic components.

The study, conducted at Trinity College, Dublin, asked 20 obese men and 52 obese women to pinpoint the causes of their weight problems. More than 70% identified their obesity as a direct cause of lack of activity, over-eating and comfort eating. For some, this over-consumption and reduced activity was caused by psychological characteristics such as addictive personality, traumatic events and family problems.

Furthermore, candidates indicated that their obesity had a domino effect on their life and health that led them to further engage in such behaviours that maintained their obesity (over-eating and reduced activity).

Ms Brogan, author of the study, said: “Our study has shown that obese people are aware of the causes of their weight problems and see their obesity as stemming from a complex array of issues rather than a single factor”. Previous research has shown that the ways in which people view their weight problems, influences how much weight they lose over the course of treatment. Brogan continues: “The challenge now for professionals is to understand how this complex representation can be used to help individuals lose the weight and adopt a healthier lifestyle”.

A new study on mice has discovered evidence to support what mothers everywhere have long suspected: the immune system needs food to function properly. While it is already known that the immune system uses energy when fighting a virus or infection, researchers found that restricting their subjects’ diet by 30% decreased the amount of available B cells, which produce antibodies and maintain immune memory. Without these cells the immune system must re-learn how to fight a threat when it reappears.

This research on the relationship between food and the immune system could have profound implications for humans. A 30% restriction in food intake doesn’t affect body mass and only minimally reduces activity in deer mice, but it does eliminate the long-term immune protection provided by antibodies. Author of the study Lyn Martin now proposes to determine what components of a diet (calories, protein, micronutrients) are responsible.

Nutrition scientists from America’s leading research institutions, including the University of California held a scientific seminar to discuss new evidence that supports the benefits of a plant-based diet.

Doctors, dieticians and healthcare professionals discussed how plant-based diets may help prevent chronic diseases, including heart disease, type II diabetes and obesity. In particular, it was Californian Hass Avocados that topped discussions and were crowned the most ‘functional food for optimal health’.

According to a small study published by the British Journal of Sports Medicine earlier this month, Tai Chi can help control type II diabetes by improving blood glucose levels and immune system response.

Tai Chi is a Chinese martial art that combines diaphragmatic breathing and relaxation with gentle movements. It is considered ‘moderate’ intensity exercise, which has previously been shown to improve immune system response – in contrast to strenuous physical activity, which depresses it. Previous studies have also shown that it improves respiratory and cardiovascular function, while improving flexibility and relieving stress.

Researchers analysed the impact of a 12 week Tai Chi program in patients with type II diabetes. They found that Tai Chi can prompt a declination in blood glucose levels by improving blood glucose metabolism, which in turn prompts an anti-inflammatory response. Furthermore, the exercise itself promotes feelings of well-being which in turn boosts the immune system.