Ways to Burn Fat When Eating Less

---

Scientists at the University of Southern Denmark uncovered new insights into the liver's role in metabolism that shed light on how to tackle frustrating weight-loss plateaus when trying to lose substantial weight. During the study, they identified a key gene, plasmalemma vesicle-associated protein, that plays a crucial role in how the body uses energy during fasting.

By controlling the PLVAP gene, researchers were able to trick a mouse’s body into thinking it has abundant energy available even during periods of fasting. This discovery sped up metabolic processes by altering how the liver burned carbs and stored fat. Addressing slowdowns responsible for weight-loss plateaus could help individuals continue shedding pounds even after reaching a weight loss plateau.

If scientists can regulate the liver’s ability to burn sugar and oxidize fat, they may be able to enhance the effectiveness of prescription weight loss medications. Plus, pharmacologists are exploring the possibility of developing drugs that sustain the liver's fat and sugar-burning activity at its original high level. Such a treatment could work alongside the latest medications, which primarily focus on reducing food intake as a medicated form of natural fasting.

NOTE: The University of Southern Denmark’s study on metabolism was initially published in the journal Cell Metabolism. The team of research scientists included Daniel Hansen, Jasmin Jensen, Christian Andersen, Peter Jakobsgaard, Jesper Havelund, Line Lauritsen, Samuel Mandacaru, Majken Siersbæk, Oliver Shackleton, Jonathan Brewer, Blagoy Blagoev, Nils Færgeman, and Kim Ravnskjær (all from SDU). Collaborators from Japan, the USA, and Finland. Danish scientists suggest that targeting the PLVAP gene could be key to overcoming common barriers by offering new hope for those with significant weight-loss goals.

How Cells Trigger Metabolic Changes

The PLVAP gene, known for its role in lipid metabolism, has unveiled an unexpected function in the liver. Researchers discovered that the gene is expressed in hepatic stellate cells, which is an unexpected finding since these cells were not previously linked to lipid metabolism. To explore this further, the team turned off the PLVAP gene in the stellate cells of mice and observed the effects. At first, there were no visible changes but under fasting their metabolism shifted.

Interestingly, the liver seemed unable to recognize the fasting state. Even though fatty acids from adipose tissue were released into the bloodstream, the liver did not absorb and utilize them as expected. Instead, these fatty acids were rerouted to the skeletal muscles. Meanwhile, the liver continued burning sugar, leading to a metabolic process that could potentially benefit overall energy regulation with more carbs burned and less fat oxidation.

Without the PLVAP gene, their livers could no longer burn fat or produce ketones, which are typically generated during fasting. So this groundbreaking study is the first to explore the gene’s role in non-endothelial cells and sheds new light on liver sinusoidal pericytes role in regulation of metabolic processes. The findings could have significant implications for understanding insulin action, energy preference in tissues, and the body’s potential for metabolic responses.

Kickstart Your Journey for Weight Control

The emergence of incretin weight loss medications represents a pivotal moment in the history of chronic weight management with a new era of optimism in which many people with obesity have the opportunity to improve their health and quality of life. That’s not to say that weight loss isn’t possible without prescriptions, but individuals who have struggled with their weight in the past have a new opportunity for success like never seen before.

Understanding how PLVAP functions could be a game-changer for further managing blood sugar and tackling difficult weight loss. This research holds immense promise, as its findings could not only reshape obesity treatments but also enhance our overall knowledge of how the body processes fat and burns sugar. Such insights could pave the way for innovative future approaches to treat conditions, such as obesity, diabetes and fatty liver disease.

Metabolic Research Center has been helping individuals like you lose weight for over three decades. Now with compounded medications, we offer the perfect complement to our already science-backed weight loss programs that are designed to eliminate the guesswork of how to keep the weight off. Visit us at the medical weight loss clinic Auburn  to see how our experienced team can help you. All it takes is a quick email or  phone call to learn more and get a free consultation as your first step toward wellness.