PLVAP Flip Burns Carbs While Fasting

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Scientists from the University of Southern Denmark have made a fascinating discovery that could revolutionize weight-loss strategies by targeting the liver's metabolic functions. Their research highlights the role of the PLVAP (PV-1) gene. This gene is highly expressed in the liver and impacts how the body processes and burns different sources of energy during fasting.

By manipulating PLVAP, researchers found it’s possible to trick the body into believing it has abundant energy reserves, even during periods of low food intake when dieting. By keeping the body’s metabolism firing at optimal levels, this breakthrough could eliminate the frustrating weight-loss plateaus that so many overweight people have faced in the past.

The findings also suggest that controlling the PLVAP gene may enhance the effectiveness of prescription weight loss medications like . Combining reduced food intake with a game-changing weight management plan may open the door for more people to experience substantial weight loss to achieve sustainable health benefits by eliminating common metabolic slowdowns.

NOTE: The University of Southern Denmark’s PLVAP 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 PV-1 gene could be key to overcoming common barriers by offering new hope for those with significant weight-loss goals.

How Cells Trigger Metabolic Changes

When studying how a gene called PLVAP functions in certain liver cells in mice, researchers made a surprising discovery. Since it was already known that humans without this gene experience issues with lipid metabolism, the team aimed to explore this link further. When the gene was deactivated in lab mice, their livers failed to recognize the fasting state. So, the PV-1 gene plays a crucial role in the body's ability to switch (or not) from burning sugar to fat during fasting.

This groundbreaking discovery unveils a completely new mechanism for regulating liver metabolism, which could have significant implications for medical weight management. Previous human studies had revealed that people lacking this gene face issues with lipid metabolism, which suggested a need for additional Glvap research. Many people attempting to lose weight by cutting calories eventually hit a plateau where the weight loss slows down or stops altogether.

This occurs because the body recognizes the reduced calorie intake as a potential starvation threat and responds by slowing down metabolism to conserve energy. While this adaptive mechanism is an important survival tool, it can feel discouraging for those trying to shed unintended weight gain, as the body naturally seems to work against their goals. Beyond weight loss, this finding could lead to new therapies for metabolic conditions like diabetes and liver diseases.

Kickstart Your Journey for Weight Control

When fasting glycogen reserves are depleted, and the body transitions to using fat as its main energy source. During this phase, the liver produces ketone bodies, which serve as an alternative energy source for the brain and other tissues. This process is carefully regulated by hormones like glucagon and insulin. Glucagon signals the liver to release glucose when blood sugar is low, while insulin ensures cells absorb glucose when blood sugar is high.

Weight loss can become much more challenging beyond a certain point because of the drastic reductions in calorie intake. But, revolutionary new prescriptive weight loss medications offer new hope in the management of metabolic health, diabetes, and sustainable weight loss. In particular, these weight loss treatment options have the potential to keep blood sugar under tight control, allow people to lose weight and also provide improved cardiovascular protection.

Hopefully, research will continue to improve prescriptive medications that will add to the medical options for people wanting to improve their health with a substantial reduction in weight. Metabolic Research Center is proud to offer prescription weight loss options through all offices. Although the prescribing of medications is based on the professional opinion of licensed clinicians, all it takes is an email or call to learn more and get a free consultation as your first step toward wellness.

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Visit us at the medical weight loss clinic Bentonville to see how our experienced team can help you reach your goals for healthy living.