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Are your genes stopping you from getting into your jeans? The role of dieting and genes is one that is attracting more
and more interest from scientists, with recent research suggesting that your success at dieting is likely to be influenced by
your genes.
The findings go a long way towards explaining why some people achieve great success on a high fat, high protein diet like
Atkins, while others achieve better results on diets that emphasize carbohydrates.
Research was conducted in the USA, at the prestigious Stanford University, and involved taking mouth swabs from over 100
overweight women. These were then analysed, with researchers looking at the women's DNA for five key genes that are linked
to how the body uses fat and carbohydrates.
They then compared this information with results of the women's successes and failures using different diets. What they
found was that when women followed diets that matched their genotype, or genetic make-up, they shed nearly a stone in a year.
This was almost three times more than the weight lost by women whose diet didn't match their genotype.
In addition to the weight loss, the women whose diet matched their genotype also lost an average of two and a half inches
from their waists.
The implications from this are profound. They suggest that different people metabolise fat and carbs differently, and that
this will have a big impact on how effective any given weight loss program will be for you.
So how can you use this information? The ideal solution would be for anyone who wants to lose weight to have the DNA testing
done. However, this test is not widely available, and certainly not through the NHS!
The alternative is to monitor your own reaction to different diets. The only way to find out which kind of diet works best
for you is to try a couple of different ones and see how your body reacts. To do this:
- Choose two different diets - for example, Atkins (high fat) and a low fat diet
- Follow each diet very strictly for a period of at least two weeks
- Monitor your weight loss, and also how you feel
- Keep your exercise levels the same on both diets
The chances are that you will notice a difference - not only in your weight loss, but also in how you feel. If one is
clearly more effective than the other, you have discovered what type of diet works for you!
Of course, you still have to stick with it, but at least you can do so in the knowledge that it is giving you the best
possible chance of success.
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