University of Navarra study shows that genes predict response to dieting in obese patients
Un estudio de la Universidad de Navarra demuestra que los genes predicen la respuesta a las dietas en pacientes obesos
University of Navarra study shows that genes predict response to dieting in obese patients
Researcher Estíbaliz Goyenechea has discovered new genetic biomarkers that hinder weight loss and its long-term maintenance. deadline
The presence of higher body fat and, as a consequence, higher levels of inflammatory substances in the blood, hinder the loss and maintenance of body weight. This has been demonstrated by a research of the University of Navarra carried out by Estíbaliz Goyenechea Soto, scientist of the School of Pharmacy.
The work, graduate "Nutrigenetic and nutrigenomic study related to body weight control and inflammation", studies how the individual Genetics of obese patients may favor or hinder weight loss when following a per diem expenses and even influence its subsequent long-term maintenance deadline.
"Some people who are overweight or obese have mutated or altered genes, which make it difficult for them to lose weight, and even once they have lost it, they regain it more quickly in a period of between six months and a year," the researcher points out. Likewise, this problem occurs in those patients who have higher levels of inflammatory substances in their blood.
In turn, this predisposition Genetics, together with the presence of exogenous or environmental factors such as inadequate dietary habits and a sedentary lifestyle, predispose to obesity and the complications that derive from it, such as diabetes, hypercholesterolemia, arterial hypertension and, therefore, to an increase in the patient's cardiovascular risk.
The future: personalized diets
The study, carried out at the department of Food Sciences, Physiology and Toxicology and directed by Professor Alfredo Martínez, has provided the knowledge of new genetic and plasma biomarkers that make it possible to predict the response of obese people to a specific per diem expenses . According to the new doctor Estíbaliz Goyenechea, "the goal is to develop personalized therapeutic strategies in the near future, based on the genetic characteristics of each person".
Obtaining a battery of biomarkers (genes and proteins) capable of predicting a person's response to weight loss and weight maintenance would make it possible to know, with a simple blood test, how each patient will respond to different types of nutritional intervention.
The study involved 180 overweight or obese patients, who followed a hypocaloric per diem expenses (leave in energy) for 8 weeks, and who were re-evaluated 6 months and 1 year after the end of the dietary intervention.