Macronutrients and obesity: views, news and reviews

Abstract

Profound changes in macronutrient composition of food have taken place since the agricultural revolution, leading to a higher dietary intake of carbohydrates at the expense of protein, and a dramatically increased intake of n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) at the expense of n-3 PUFAs. This review focuses on how macronutrients impact on molecular processes central to appetite regulation and energy homeostasis. We discuss the effects on transcription factors, implicated as key players in adipocyte differentiation and function, including PPARs, sterol regulatory element binding proteins and liver X receptors. Furthermore, as energy homeostasis is to a large extent orchestrated by the gut-brain axis, we discuss key hormones involved in the regulation of energy balance and appetite.

The importance of dietary modulation of cAMP and insulin signaling in adipose tissue and the development of obesity

“…Macronutrients impinge on a number of key regulatory transcription factors involved in adipogenesis and adipocyte function. However, the direct effect of macronutrients on transcriptional regulation in adipose tissue was recently reviewed 3 and will therefore only shortly be dealt with here. High levels of Rho-kinase activity inhibit Ins/IGF-1-dependent signaling, and attenuation of Rho-kinase activity is crucial for adipogenesis.…”

Experimental and observational studies on alcohol use and dietary intake: a systematic review

“…Dietary intake was operationalized as the macronutrient composition of foods because – irrespective of total energy intake – diets consisting of greater proportional intake of refined carbohydrates and fat heighten risk for cardiometabolic disease and obesity and diets consisting of greater protein intake may facilitate weight loss . However, it may have been beneficial to also provide information on how alcohol use was associated with overall diet quality (e.g.…”

“…Moreover, experimental and observational research indicates that diets consisting of greater intake of refined carbohydrates (e.g. breads and pastas) and fat heighten risk for cardiometabolic disease and obesity irrespective of total energy intake . Experimental research also indicates that greater intake of protein facilitates weight loss, and weight loss can predict reduced risk for cardiometabolic disease…”

“…Given that greater proportional intake of refined carbohydrates not unrefined carbohydrates (e.g. fruits and vegetables) heightens risk for cardiometabolic diseases and obesity, the influence of alcohol use on intake of refined carbohydrates versus unrefined carbohydrates was further delineated. Finally, where possible, results were compared across male and female participants to identify potential moderation by biological sex.…”

Balanced Caloric Macronutrient Composition Downregulates Immunological Gene Expression in Human Blood Cells—Adipose Tissue Diverges

“…This is also true with caloric restriction. The addition of dietary amino acids and substituting dietary proteins for carbohydrates have also been shown to affect insulinemic responses (Madsen et al, 2008;Nilsson et al, 2007), making it reasonable to examine whether the immunological gene profile in blood is partly regulated by glycemic or insulin levels. An examination of the eating pattern of obese men reveals that they often skip some meals and compensate by eating larger portions at other meals to justify for the lost calories (Berg et al, 2009).…”