Saturated Fats May Cause You to Eat More
A new study shows that overeating could be related to the saturated fatty acids found in meat and dairy products. Find out how what you eat could be directly affecting your appetite.
Do you find it hard to control your appetite? Is it difficult to stop eating when you sit down to a meal? This is a common problem which some have attributed to a “lack of will power” A new study shows that the tendency to overeat could be partially explained by the saturated fat found in foods, particularly meat and dairy products. One of the drawbacks of high fat foods, particularly those high in saturated fat, may be their ability to increase appetite and block the signal that tells the brain it’s had enough food.
Do Saturated Fats Increase Appetite and Promote Weight Gain?
According to this study published in The Journal of Clinical Investigation, saturated fats increase appetite by tricking the body into believing it’s still hungry after a meal. Researchers found that certain saturated fats, particularly palmitic acid, turn on a gene known as the PKCB gene. When the PKCB gene is activated it causes the body to be unresponsive to the hormones, leptin and insulin, that signal the body it’s had enough to eat.
The Role of Leptin
Leptin appears to play an important role in controlling appetite and regulating satiety. One theory is that obesity is caused by leptin resistance where the body no longer responds to the signaling effects of leptin telling it to stop eating. Obese people have been shown to have high circulating blood levels of leptin, yet seem to be unresponsive to it despite an abundance of it.
The Effects of High Fat Foods
In this study, researchers exposed rodents to palmitic acid, a saturated fat, several times a day. When rodents received palmitic acid, a saturated fat, it activated the PKCB gene, suppressing the effects of leptin and insulin on appetite. While saturated fats had this effect, unsaturated fats such as oleic acid, a fatty acid found in olive oil, did not – suggesting that all fats aren’t bad
Do Saturated Fats Increase Appetite and Weight Gain in Humans?
If this effect of high fat foods on appetite and weight gain holds true in humans, it may give one more reason to avoid foods high in saturated fats, particularly palmitic acid. Palmitic acid is found in such sources as palm oil, butter, cheese, meat, and milk. Saturated fats such as palmitic acid have also been shown to increase the risk of heart disease by raising LDL levels and increasing plaque formation in the arteries.
The Dangers of High Fat Foods: The Bottom Line
Whether you’re concerned about heart disease or weight gain, it’s best to limit saturated fats in the diet. Keep in mind that all fats aren’t bad. Some studies have shown that polyunsaturated fats, such as oleic acid, may help to suppress appetite and reduce the risk of overeating. Just be sure to choose your fats wisely.
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