Obseity "virus"

So I heard on the news last night that there is an obesity "virus". I apologize that most of this is a 'copy'/'paste' - but it's still an interesting read. What I also find interesting, is that the article is dated August 2007, but I heard this for the first time on the news February 2009. Why such the delay in getting the news out to the people. In any event, here's the story.

Infection with a virus linked to human obesity ups fat-cell production and makes fat cells fatter.

"Infectobesity" is the term coined by Louisiana State University researcher Nikhil Dhurandhar, PhD, and colleagues to describe the phenomenon. Their research strongly links a common human virus -- adenovirus-36 or Ad-36 -- to human obesity.

Previous research showed that nearly 30% of obese people, but only 11% of lean people, have been infected with Ad-36. Monkeys experimentally infected with Ad-36 gain significant weight.

Now Dhurandhar's team finds evidence that Ad-36 has a direct effect on human fat cells. Infection of adult stem cells from human fat triggers their transition into pre-fat cells. And these virus-infected cells hold much more fat than normal pre-fat cells.

The end result: more, fatter fat cells.

"We're not saying that a virus is the only cause of obesity, but this study provides stronger evidence that some obesity cases may involve viral infections". "We would ultimately like to identify the underlying factors that predispose some obese people to the effects of this virus and eventually find a way to treat it."

It's not entirely clear how the virus acts on fat stem cells. But Pasarica reported a major clue: One specific Ad-36 gene, called E4Orfl, is responsible for the virus's obesity-related effects.

The researchers are now trying to figure out why some people seem to become obese after Ad-36 infection while others don't.

How is this virus spread? I read that it can be spread as easily as the common cold! "The condition has been linked to a highly-infectious virus which causes sniffles and sore throats. Spread by dirty hands, the adenovirus apparently attacks tissue and causes fat cells to multiply - leading to massive weight gain."

So while not all obese people have this virus, and not all skinny people don't have this virus... it's just one more thing to consider if your typical diet and exercise aren't working. You have one more tool in your toolbox that you can take to your Doctor to try and find a solution to the problem.