02/17/2019 / By Rita Winters
Studies show that conditioning your brain to control your appetite is not enough. It was found that our bones are responsible for our appetites and metabolism as well. Researchers at the Montreal Clinical Research Institute (IRCM) in Canada found that bones produce a hormone that increases insulin production and decreases blood glucose levels.
Osteoblasts, responsible for forming our bones, produce a protein called osteocalcin. Upon activation, osteocalcin helps increase insulin levels which then reduces sugar in our blood. This hormone first builds up in the bone and is then released into the blood after a series of chemical reactions. Osteocalcins are inactive when first produced by osteoblasts. In order for osteocalcin to activate, an enzyme called furin acts like molecular scissors which “snips” off some molecules in osteocalcin.
Professor Mathieu Ferron from the IRCM states that if there is no presence of furin, the ostreocalcin remains inactive. Even if the inactive ostreocalcin is released into the blood, it won’t affect the production of insulin and lead to higher levels of blood glucose. Surprisingly, getting rid of the “scissors” reduces one’s appetite. The findings of the study have since been published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation.
While ostreocalcin has no direct effect on appetite, its function of creating larger insulin levels is related to metabolism. Appetite is a natural desire to satisfy food needs, while metabolism is the chemical process which helps the body absorb nutrients and energy from food. Since Type 2 diabetes is concerned with glucose levels and low insulin levels, this study aims to help patients diagnosed with the problem in the future. According to Professor Ferron, changes in the concentration of osteocalcin in the blood of some individuals may help keep diabetes at bay.
Since there isn’t sufficient evidence as to how we can trigger an activation of osteocalcins, alternative methods to increasing metabolism will help individuals diagnosed with diabetes, obesity, and other metabolic disorders.
Engaging in a healthy lifestyle proves beneficial. By eating healthy, organic food, you help your body function normally. Here are some tips on boosting your metabolism:
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Tagged Under: appetite, body clock, circadian rhythm, diabetes, hormones, hunger, metabolism, obesity, osteoblasts, osteocalcins, research, slender