Obesity FTO Gene Discovered, Higher Levels of 'Hunger Hormone' Ghrelin in Blood

Health experts believe they may have targeted a gene that causes obesity.

Known as the FTO gene, researchers believe that this affects one in six of the population, making those carrying the genetic tendencies 70 percent more likely to become obese.

A series of tests showed that people with the variation not only had higher levels of the "hunger hormone" ghrelin in their blood, but they also had an increased sensitivity to the chemical in their brains, according to the study.

"It's a double hit," said Rachel Batterham from University College London, who led the study, via Reuters.

The study shows that following meals, researchers looked at blood samples to analyze functional magnetic resonance imaging of the volunteers' brains. Cell-based studies also looked at ghrelin production at a molecular level.

Batterham said the work provided new insights and possible new leads for treatment regarding experimental drugs that are known to suppress appetite. They said they hope this could be potentially effective in treating patients with the obesity-risk of the gene.

Previous research has also shown that ghrelin can be reduced by eating a diet high in protein.

The Mayo Clinic lists obesity as having an excessive amount of body fat and more than just a cosmetic concern that increases a risk for such health problems as heart disease, diabetes and high blood pressure, and statistics today show that in the United States, more than 93 million Americans are obese.

Healthy diet and exercise play an important role in getting on the right track to lifelong health and prevention of other weight-related health issues. Make sure to check out ways you can stay fit.

More information regarding the study is in the Journal of Clinical Investigation.