[InfiniteNow]

I read about this yesterday and thought it was pretty cool:


Exercise In A Pill: Researchers Identify Drugs That Enhance Exercise Endurance

"The team of scientists, led by Howard Hughes Medical Investigator Ronald M. Evans, Ph.D., a professor in the Salk Institute's Gene Expression Laboratory report in the July 31 advance online edition of the journal Cell that simultaneously triggering both pathways with oral drugs turned laboratory mice into long-distance runners and conferred many of exercise's other benefits." <more at link>

Here's a link to the journal article referenced:

Cell -- Narkar et al.

"In this study, we show that the AMP-mimetic AICAR can increase endurance in sedentary mice by genetically reprogramming muscle metabolism in a PPARδ-dependent manner. We also found that a PPARδ agonist in combination with exercise synergistically induces fatigue-resistant type I fiber specification and mitochondrial biogenesis, ultimately enhancing physical performance. These changes correlate with an unexpected but interesting establishment of a muscle endurance gene signature that is unique to the drug-exercise paradigm. Such a signature is an outcome of molecular crosstalk and perhaps a physical association between exercise-activated AMPK and PPARδ. These findings identify a novel pharmacologic strategy to reprogram muscle endurance by targeting AMPK-PPARδ signaling axis with orally active ligands."

<...>

Although potentiation of extramuscular adaptations by PPARδ and AMPK agonists remains to be studied, we found that drug treatment can reduce epididymal fat mass, possibly conferring additional systemic benefits. It is noteworthy that PPARδ is important for normal cardiac contractility, as well as for the endocrine function of adipose tissue (Wang et al., 2003, Cheng et al., 2004). Similarly, the activation of AMPK by metformin is thought to mediate its ability to lower blood glucose levels (Shaw et al., 2005). In addition to increasing performance in athletes, exercise has beneficial effects in a wide range of pathophysiological conditions, such as respiratory disorders, cardiovascular abnormalities, type 2 diabetes, and cancer risk."

<...>

"In this study, we revealed that synthetic PPARδ activation and exercise—and, more importantly, AMPK activation alone—provide a robust transcriptional cue that reprograms the skeletal muscle genome and dramatically enhances endurance."

So, not only does it increase your endurance overall, but it also increases the number of slow-twitch fat burning muscles you have while just sitting there. Those types of muscles are what Olypians and Lance Armstrong and the like get through all of those hours of training.

I want some.

[Nitack]

It is still a very simple equation... if energy taken in is greater than energy use then you gain fat.

Genetics, diet pills, types of food, viruses, medical conditions, and everything else just effects a side of the equation.

[Monomer]

Originally Posted by InfiniteNow

So, not only does it increase your endurance overall, but it also increases the number of slow-twitch fat burning muscles you have while just sitting there. Those types of muscles are what Olypians and Lance Armstrong and the like get through all of those hours of training.

I want some.

This is the stuff we dreamed about when we were kids - everything we need in a pill.

Now I'm just waiting for a transporter...

[Michaelangelica]

In insects

Locusts Help Our Understanding Of Human Obesity

Narration And it’s not only locusts that exhibit this behaviour. Spiders, fish and a number of mammal species regulate their protein intake more strongly than their carbohydrate or fat intake.

So could this theory be applied to humans? Might we also overeat if we stick to diets with a low proportion of protein? A small study performed by Professor Simpson’s group suggests this could be true.

Catalyst: Locusts Help Our Understanding Of Human Obesity - ABC TV Science
The level of high quality protein we eat seems to limit the amount of carbohydrate we (or at least insects) eat.
This may be one reason obesity is increasing in protein poor societies??

In Humans?

Mhmmm. Nothing is to blame except ourselves. The increasing number of obese people is for the most part, due to modern lifestyles.
People just need to get off their asses and excersise!

Have you really read this thread?
Yes what you say is one reason.
But, for one example, when you put an obese woman into hospital and drastically,draconianically, clinically reduce her calorie level to about 1,000 a day then make her exercise and then she still puts on weight. What is happening?

The doctors at first thought patients were smuggling in food. But when they checked this and talked to the women they found this was not happening.
The women patients complained that they were being fed twice as much as they would be normally eating in/at the hospital than at home.
Their systems were obviously super efficient at extracting calories from food.
Why?
I don't think thee will be one simple answer.

Look at the Hungerwinter "experiment" in the 1940s in this thread. These days we have skeletal, pre- pubesecent models of beauty in all the media. Do modern women starve themselves in the first 3-4 months of pregnancy so as not to look "fat" (a relative fashion term, at best), or perhaps save on maternity clothes?
It would be fascinating to know this- because of its long term effects on the final weight of the baby/child/ adult.

In animals
Look at kangaroos they eat a much leaner diet than cows yet have a much greater uses of energy, Much more active than cows; able to run all day in extreme conditions. A cow would not survive on the scrubby native grasses they eat. Kangaroo faeces is about the size of a pea. Cow faeces is the size of a dinner plate. Kangaroos produce no methane; cows produces masses. Are the bacteria in kangaroo's stomachs much more efficient than the cows?


Someone here had a signature quote which went something like "science doesn't start with an "Eureka" moment more like a "That's funny" moment.
We need to get away from the "one meme fits all approach" to obesity and start to look at what has happened in just the last, mere ,10-15 years to humans.
I am just saying the eat too much and not exercise idea does not fit all the facts and I think that "is funny/strange"

[Monomer]

Originally Posted by Michaelangelica

[In animals
Look at kangaroos they eat a much leaner diet than cows yet have a much greater uses of energy, Much more active than cows; able to run all day in extreme conditions. A cow would not survive on the scrubby native grasses they eat. Kangaroo faeces is about the size of a pea. Cow faeces is the size of a dinner plate. Kangaroos produce no methane; cows produces masses. Are the bacteria in kangaroo's stomachs much more efficient than the cows?

Cows have methanogens living in their guts - hence the tons of methane they introduce into the atmosphere. Kangaroos apparently produce acetate which is a short-chain fatty acid produced by bifidobacteria, and those bifidobacteria are very beneficial to gut health, particularly in the prevention of bowel cancer. I'm not too sure of the role the bifis play in obesity, though.

Roo bugs to help cut sheep burps (ABC News in Science)

[Gardamorg]

From 6th Grade to the end of 7th grade I gained 80 pounds.

I am in 10th Grade now, I weigh just shy of 200 pounds, I'm only 5-11, I run 8 laps around a quarter mile track, (about 2 miles) every single day, I am on multiple work out routines better than what most non-athletes do, such as fitness and conditioning drill camps and other things designed to push me to be a state champion on my wrestling team. I've been on an improved alternate day fasting diet.
Ddespite my best efforts, I either gain 20 pounds one week, or lose a mere 1 pound every 2 weeks.

It's safe to say no matter what I do I'm steadily gaining weight for an unknown reason.

I know plenty of anorexic kids that have NO diet, and don't work out at all, and typically eat a lot.

Whereas I don't eat ANYTHING every other day, and eat little, and I mean little, the other days. I eat just enough to be healthy, yet I feel stuffed whenever I eat.

I might have this virus.

[mynah]

Eighty pounds in two years is a huge amount. Have you seen a doctor about it?

Fasting is not a good idea. It makes your body think that it is starving, and should hold onto everything that goes down your throat. Rather try eating three moderate, balanced meals every day, with a small snack of nuts or veggie sticks between each to keep your blood sugar at an even level.

[Michaelangelica]

Originally Posted by Gardamorg

From 6th Grade to the end of 7th grade I gained 80 pounds.

I am in 10th Grade now, I weigh just shy of 200 pounds, I'm only 5-11, I run 8 laps around a quarter mile track, (about 2 miles) every single day, I am on multiple work out routines better than what most non-athletes do, such as fitness and conditioning drill camps and other things designed to push me to be a state champion on my wrestling team. I've been on an improved alternate day fasting diet.
Ddespite my best efforts, I either gain 20 pounds one week, or lose a mere 1 pound every 2 weeks.

It's safe to say no matter what I do I'm steadily gaining weight for an unknown reason.

I know plenty of anorexic kids that have NO diet, and don't work out at all, and typically eat a lot.

Whereas I don't eat ANYTHING every other day, and eat little, and I mean little, the other days. I eat just enough to be healthy, yet I feel stuffed whenever I eat.

I might have this virus.

I am feeling for you
There are many many reasons for obesity. Most of which our conservative medical establishment has not come to grips with yet.

A virus is only ONE possibility

I don't know how to advise you because this area of medicine is so new
However you should go though the posts in this Thread and read them and the links associated with them one by one. perhaps you may find somethng that 'chimes' or rings bells with you personally.

A comprehensive medical check-up (using specialists not just the local GP) would be a good idea in case their is a hormonal or other problem.

Thank you for sharing your pain.

[Gardamorg]

Originally Posted by Jay-qu

I here there are some medical conditions that make people more prone to become overweight - not overweight prone to it. These people just have to live with it, like people that have food allergies or diabeties

LIVE with it?

After school everyday I work my ass off hoping that just for a few weeks I can look and feel good, that girls might notice me or give me that one wink.

But it's not happening for me, I don't understand. I grow envious and even jealous of every kid that is in good shape.

They eat whatever they want, I've seen them at lunch, eating pop-tarts, donuts and salted fries, they have six pack abs and a hawt girlfriend each, I'm there with my little ham sandwich and small drink, I don't have a six pack, and I'm not so attractive, I don't have a pretty girlfriend, or many friends at all.

I can't live with it.

[Monomer]

Originally Posted by Gardamorg

LIVE with it?

After school everyday I work my ass off hoping that just for a few weeks I can look and feel good, that girls might notice me or give me that one wink.

But it's not happening for me, I don't understand. I grow envious and even jealous of every kid that is in good shape.

They eat whatever they want, I've seen them at lunch, eating pop-tarts, donuts and salted fries, they have six pack abs and a hawt girlfriend each, I'm there with my little ham sandwich and small drink, I don't have a six pack, and I'm not so attractive, I don't have a pretty girlfriend, or many friends at all.

I can't live with it.

Those people that eat crappy food (the pop-tarts, donuts, fries etc) might not put on weight now, but I think it will catch up with them sooner or later and in one way or another - weight gain and/or serious health problems like cancer. I know guys who ate anything and everthing in their teens and were bean poles, but in their mid-twenties they started gaining weight.

I agree with the others - you've got to get this checked out by a doctor. Also, don't skip meals because that will have the oposite effect of what you're trying to achieve. Eat well, eat small portions, and keep active. It's not all about getting the girls. Work hard, get a great job, be very successful. You don't need to be attractive to do that; you need to have a brilliant mind and a drive to achieve. I didn't have a boyfriend at school. I wasn't particularly pretty and I was shy, and I always lost out to the girls who were pretty and outgoing and who could flirt. It sucked and my self-esteem was very low. But I'm happily married now to a guy who loves me for who I am.

Jay-qu is right, though. If you have a health problem sometimes you really do just have to live with it. I do everything I can to keep my asthma and allergies under control, but I still have asthma attacks, and I still have sinus infections and it all drives me crazy. But that's just how it is. I didn't get the perfect body and I have to deal with that. I have to focus on my strengths and utilise those.

Your first step Gardamorg is to see a doctor and find out why you're gaining weight. Seriously, do this. Let us know what they say and we can take things from there.