metabolism

Two common herpesviruses have been associated with the onset of prediabetes in a new study led by researchers in Germany. The findings build on a growing body of evidence connecting viral infections to the development of chronic disease.

One in five people diagnosed with type 2 diabetes are of a normal weight. A new test could help identify such people by looking for patterns of molecules in blood samples that correspond with obesity-related metabolic changes, regardless of weight.

New research has discovered a pathway by which bacteria in the gut can directly communicate with neurons in the brain responsible for regulating appetite and body temperature. The novel mechanism adds to our understanding of gut-brain communication.

Scientists at the Scripps Research Institute have demonstrated how a natural signaling pathway can be temporarily activated to improve metabolic health in obese mice, blocking the deleterious effects of a high-fat diet.

Scientists at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology have found that chemicals in plastic could be helping drive rising rates of obesity around the world, by entering the human body and interfering with our metabolism.

An experimental drug under investigation as a potential cancer treatment has shown exciting potential in an entirely unrelated field of medicine, with scientists finding it confers benefits for weight loss and metabolic health in mice.

In a large study UK researchers have found gum disease is associated with an increased risk of developing cardiovascular and autoimmune disease. The findings build on a growing body of research linking poor oral health with broader chronic disease.

A new study has shed light on a molecular process underpinning impaired metabolism and endurance in skeletal muscle associated with obesity, and reveals how a growth factor found in a South American plant can alleviate these deleterious effects.

Research has uncovered a communication pathway illustrating how the microbiome can influence immune system activity in the gut. The study describes how molecules produced by gut bacteria control the activity of a protein known to suppress inflammation.

A drug originally designed to treat Alzheimer’s has been found to reduce obesity and improve heart function in mice. The drug was previously found to be ineffective treating dementia, but it's suggested it could be useful in stimulating fat metabolism.

Can the make-up of your gut microbiome affect the success of a weight loss intervention? A unique new study is indicating this is certainly possible, identifying several mechanisms by which gut bacteria can either help or hinder weight loss.

Research has found a common pesticide may promote obesity by slowing the calorie-burning ability of certain fat cells. The animal study indicates chlorpyrifos, to be banned in the US, promotes food intake and suppresses thermogenesis in brown fat.