Many people blame their wrong eating habits as the main reason behind the inability to lose weight, but new research indicates that one of the reasons for not being able to reach a target weight is a protein in the gut.
The study published in the journal “Scientific Reports” found that a protein that is exclusively present in the stomach and is abundantly produced inside it called “Gastroquin-1” (GKN1) may be the reason for not seeing the results you wish to see, in terms of your weight reaching the desired level.
The protein was discovered by one of the study’s authors, David Boone, Ph.D., an assistant professor of microbiology and immunology at Indiana University, and an assistant professor in the Department of Biology at Notre Dame University.
Boone and his team of researchers conducted an analysis of the microbiome “gastroquin-1” using mice, using one group containing protein and others without it. Then the researchers measured the food intake of the two groups, as well as extracting calories (also known as the number of calories we actually extract. From food), blood sugar, insulin, triglyceride levels, body composition, and even counting how many calories the mice burned.
The result of the study was that the mice that did not have the protein (GKN1) had less weight, had lower levels of total body fat, and higher proportions of lean muscle, even though they ate the same amount of food as the group that contained the protein.
One of the most interesting results of the study was that the mice without protein were resistant to weight gain when they were placed on a high-fat diet.
Commenting on the findings of his study, David Boone explains in a statement:
“While diet and exercise are essential to maintaining a healthy weight, some individuals struggle to lose weight – even in cases of bariatric surgery, maintaining weight loss can be a challenge.”
“The results of our study are an example of how a better understanding of the gut microbiome and the physiological aspects of obesity – how our bodies regulate metabolism and the accumulation of fats in the body – can help introduce new therapies,” he continued.
The new study concluded that more research is needed to determine whether inhibiting GKN1 could be an effective way to help prevent obesity in humans.