X-Message-Number: 29544
References: <>
From: David Stodolsky <>
Subject: Hormone Ignites the Body's Fat-Burning Furnace
Date: Wed, 6 Jun 2007 23:32:22 +0200

http://www.hhmi.org//news/mangelsdorf20070606.html

Hormone Ignites the Body's Fat-Burning Furnace

Researchers have identified a master hormone that allows the body to  
fuel itself with stored fat during times of fasting. The hormone  
mobilizes lipids from fat cells, and then directs the liver to  
transform those lipids into energy-rich molecules that circulate  
throughout the body.

The researchers said their findings reveal a more complete picture of  
the far-reaching role of the hormone, fibroblast growth factor 21  
(FGF21), which is already in development as a treatment for type 2  
diabetes. In addition to switching the body to a fat-burning mode,  
the team found FGF21 induces the hibernation-like state of torpor  
that conserves energy in fasting animals.


David Stodolsky    Skype: davidstodolsky

Rate This Message: http://www.cryonet.org/cgi-bin/rate.cgi?msg=29544