A study published in the Journal of Biological Chemistry
revealed our body have a "fat switch” namely carnitine
palmitoyltransferase 1A (CPT 1). CPT1 is the key enzyme that regulates fatty
acid oxidation in the liver and is critical for metabolism. So knowing how CPT1 operates will
potentially help to better understand how some people appear to have a
speedy metabolism and others struggle to curb their appetite also it could be
the key to fighting obesity.
The idea is to develop a way
to control CPT1. Some will argue why you need control it? the need to control CPT1 is that it activity determines
your weight, and how well you metabolise food. So knowing how CPT1
operates will potentially help to better understand how proteins control
appetite or regulate the secretion of insulin. Take that idea further, and
scientists should be able to design a drug that moves the CPT1
"switch" where it needs to be, addressing weight or metabolic
conditions.
One potential condition this
could help: diabetic keto acidosis. This takes place when the body doesn't make
enough insulin and breaks down fat instead. A potential drug could reduce the
fatty acids CPT1 oxidises.
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