Understand your genetic constitution and lose weight to be healthy

Most medical studies have confirmed that obesity is closely related to the incidence and mortality of metabolic diseases and cardiovascular diseases, and is the most prevalent health problem among modern people. According to statistics from the National Health Bureau of the Department of Health from 2008 to 2010, the prevalence of overweight and obesity among adults over 18 years old in Taiwan was as high as 38.4%, showing the hidden concerns and severity of the health of the Taiwanese people.

The genetic testing process is simple and the results are accurate; understand your own physical condition and choose the best way to lose weight. (Photo provided by Taiwan Jikang)

Although "weight loss" is currently the most concerned topic for people all over the world, due to busy work schedules, daily routines and dietary types that are difficult to control, how to lose weight in a healthy and efficient manner becomes increasingly important. Interestingly, scientific research has now found that many genes that control our body's metabolism, also known as congenital constitution, are related to the formation of obesity. If we can better understand our own congenital conditions and combine them with appropriate acquired adjustments, I believe the weight loss effect will be twice the result with half the effort.

There are many different ways to lose weight on the market, and many celebrities often promote their own methods. For example, Mr. Zeng, a contestant on the talent show "Super Idol", said that he lost weight by completely not eating starchy foods. This method may be effective in the short term, but because the body relies on other nutrients to metabolize into calories, in the long run, the waste produced by these metabolic pathways will increase the burden on the kidneys and easily affect the brain's oxidative metabolism, causing drowsiness and lack of energy. Well-known artist Ms. Xu uses a diet method that makes her imagine she has a small stomach and only eats small amounts of food at one meal a day. However, this will easily lead to nutritional imbalance in the long run and cause other diseases.

Although we all know that the key to losing weight is to eat less and exercise more, it seems that some people can't lose weight no matter how much they exercise or diet? In fact, weight loss depends on your individual constitution. Choosing the most appropriate method will make weight loss easy, effective and healthy. The most scientific way to explore your constitution is to use "genetic testing" to understand whether you have a certain type of obesity gene. For example, the PPAR-γ gene is a transcription factor specific to adipose tissue, which plays an important role in the proliferation and differentiation of adipocytes. People with this gene mutation should try to eat less foods rich in fat. The ADRB-2 gene controls the efficiency of carbohydrate metabolism into calories. People with this gene mutation should try to eat less starchy foods.

Obesity-related genes have been partially discovered. Through genetic testing, you can understand your own body constitution for weight loss and consult with a professional doctor to provide a good weight loss plan for different body constitutions. (Photo provided by Taiwan Jikang)

In other words, if Mr. Zeng has a PPAR gene mutation but a normal ADRB gene, then his weight loss method will be less efficient: he does not need to worry about starchy foods, but needs to pay attention to the amount of cooking oil. Similarly, this is why some people cannot lose weight no matter how hard they try, because they do not understand their own physical constitution and do not choose the best way to lose weight.

Modern science is advanced, but there are also more and more civilization diseases. How to make good use of the latest technology to understand our own physical constitution and achieve preventive medicine for a healthy body and mind is indeed something we should face seriously and learn. Currently, genetic testing is not only used by prosecutors in handling cases or for paternity testing, but has also been applied in cancer treatment and drug suitability. More importantly, it can predict the risk of most major diseases, such as obesity-related cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, and choose coping methods early to avoid the occurrence of the disease. Prevention is better than cure. Maintaining beauty and a good figure is important, but without health everything is in vain. This is also what every good doctor cares most about the public.