A Virus Made Me Fat?
Posted: Tuesday, August 21, 2007
by Abigail Richards
Research has finally proven what we have wanted to hear for years. It isn’t junk food that makes you fat or laying on the couch or the lack of exercise-no it is a virus?
Researchers are claiming that a virus is the cause of obesity. Dr. Magdalena Pasarica, M.D., Ph.D., of the Pennington Biomedical Research Center has an explanation as to why obesity affects many people worldwide. She said it’s a contagious virus called human adenovirus or Ad-36.
Studies are still being completed since not all people with the virus develop obesity. “We would ultimately like to identify the underlying factors that predispose some obese people to develop this virus and eventually find a way to treat it," Pasarica said.
The research was conducted by obtaining adult stem cells from fat tissue of people who had undergone liposuction. Stem cells are a type of master cell that exist in an immature form and give rise to more specialized cells.
After about a week of growth in tissue culture, most of the virus-infected adult stem cells developed into fat cells, whereas the non-infected stem cells did not, the researchers say.
Previous studies have shown AD-36 increased fat in chickens, mice and other nonhuman animals.
It is said that the virus then tells the cells to produce a lot of lipids, or fats. The result: bigger fat cells — and more of them. Those infected with the virus are advised to double their exercise and dieting efforts.
So I am thinking it had to come from that little boy I kissed on the playground in kindergarten. It was downhill from there. Well what is done is done. I guess I will die an infected obese person. . . now where did I put those potato chips?
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Top-level comments on this article: (1 total)Abigail, Thanks. You did a great job of weaving this story. Why is it that we remember our first love in kindergarten? That virus is affecting alot of people. lol.James, Thanks for the comment! It is funny that we remember that! Have a great week!
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