Overweight men over 30 can apparently only a little for their big belly

Guilt is an enzyme: why men over 30 often get fat
Many people, who were slim and lean in their younger years, often increase rapidly in their mid-30s and older. Especially in men then quickly forms an unattractive "Plauze". But this is not necessarily (only) on extensive meals and little exercise. Researchers have found that a particular enzyme plays an important role here.

As you age, losing weight becomes more difficult
Although there are studies that show that women prefer men with a stomach, but usually these are likely to be exceptions. The "Plauze" is usually considered unattractive. However, those affected are usually struggling to get rid of their fat belly. This has to do with the years of life. Because in old age it is harder to reduce excess weight again. Also responsible for this is a particular enzyme.

Especially in men often forms a decent "Plauze" in advanced age. Researchers have now discovered that a particular enzyme may be responsible for the overweight of middle-aged people. (Image: SENTELLO / fotolia.com)

Genes are responsible for overweight (with)
In the past, people who put their overweight on the "bad genes" were usually not taken seriously. While other factors also play a role, genes are indeed a major cause of who is fat or not.

In recent years, researchers worldwide have gained new insights. For example, an international research team found a gene responsible for obesity and Japanese scientists reported finding a fat-burning gene.

And US researchers at the National Institute of Health (NIH) have now identified "an enzyme that could help fight adiposity and fitness loss in middle-age," according to a post on the Science Daily portal..

An overactive enzyme
According to the scientists, an average American aged 20 to 50 years is about 15 kilos, although food intake usually falls during this period.

They wanted to find out in their study why it comes in the middle years to this weight gain.

"In our society, the weight gain in middle years (about 30 - 60 years) is attributed mainly to a bad lifestyle and a lack of willpower," study author Dr. Jay H. Chung from the NIH.

But their study shows that "there is a genetic program driven by an overactive enzyme that promotes weight gain in the middle of life." The activity of the enzyme increases in both sexes.

Mitochondrial depletion promotes obesity
The research team used mice to test the potential key role this enzyme plays in obesity.

When they blocked the enzyme DNA-dependent protein kinase, DNA-PK for short, it was found that this resulted in a 40% decrease in weight gain, the experts report.

Further work has shown that DNA-PK promote the conversion of nutrients into fat and reduce the number of mitochondria that convert fat to energy.

In young people, mitochondria are abundant, but in older people they decrease significantly. It has been known for some time that mitochondrial depletion can promote obesity.

Reducing obesity reduces disease risks
Their findings, published in the journal Cell Metabolism, may be relevant to many chronic diseases.

Because lower rates of obesity may reduce the number of diseases whose rates increase in old age, such as heart disease or diabetes, as well as cancer and Alzheimer's, according to the researchers.

Scientists believe that decreasing DNA-PK activity can reduce fat deposition and increase mitochondrial numbers and promote fat burning.

Weight loss drugs
"The study opens the door to the development of a new type of weight loss medication that could work by inhibiting DNA-PK activity," said Chung. However, he noted that so far only findings of the effect in mice are available.

So until there are such medicines, middle-aged people who are struggling with obesity should continue to rely on traditional recommendations, the researchers said.

The calorie intake should be lowered and exercise should be intensified. In addition, patience is required: such a belly has neither emerged overnight, nor does it disappear at a rapid pace. (Ad)