Is there really a “fat gene”?
If so, do you have a double dose!
Interestingly enough, a Harvard study recently showed that one gene regulates fat cell production. If this gene doesn’t work properly, it produces an abnormal number of fat cells that tends to increase the chance of obesity.
Also, scientists from the Washington School of Medicine have found another gene that regulates the activity of a chemical called uncoupling protein1 (UPC-1). This chemical ensures that energy is dissipated through the skin as heat, rather than stored as energy.
If the gene regulating UPC-1 fails to work correctly, a person tends to store calories easier and they expend less calories as heat.
If you think you might have a double dose of the fat gene, here's a few research based strategies that up-regulate your genetic capacity to burn/utilize fat for fuel.
- Exercise first thing in the morning - you'll burn more energy during the day.
- Take a strategic dose (20-50grams) of Whey Protein Isolate just before your workout - you'll burn more fat in the hours after.
- Don't cut your calorie intake you'll fall for the metabolic slow down - which programs your physiology to hoard, not burn fat.
- Replace your empty calories with more nutrient-dense choices - a big plate of vegetables equals less than 300 calories and most people couldn't finish the plate!
- Get more sleep at night - sleep deprivation and poor sleep habits are an underlying cause of poor fat metabolism.
Don't get too depressed, the “weight” of scientific evidence suggests that environmental choices, such as the type of foods eaten and amount of activity performed, have a greater influence on body composition than heredity.
Dr Paul Cribb is an award-winning sports scientist, author, personal trainer and the creator of mp-body.com – the first ever science-based, research-proven, nationally accredited body transformation program. Learn more here.