Obesity is associated with unhealthy diet and lack of physical activity. However, a virus known as adenovirus — 36 or Ad-36, might be a factor behind obesity. Ad-36 is supposed to increase the fat cell production — thereby, resulting in obesity. However, as the research into Ad-36 is still in the starting stages, further study might be required to confirm its effect on obesity.
About obesity Virus Ad-36:
Ad-36 is a highly infectious virus which causes sore throats and cold. This virus is believed to get into the fat tissue and replicate itself. It then increases the fat cell production. People might also get sore throat in the process of being infected. Adenovirus has about 50 strains — which cause sore throats, respiratory infections, pneumonia and cold.
However, it was found that not all the people who were infected with Ad-36 became fat – some people became fat after the infection and some did not. Research is going on to find out the reasons as to why some people become fat and the various ways to treat this problem.
A research study showed that about 30% of obese people had Ad-36 virus, and only 11% lean people had this virus. It was also found that monkeys when infected with this virus, became fat.
Obesity has become an epidemic — primarily due to unhealthy eating habits and sedentary lifestyles. Virus and genetic factors may trigger obesity. However, regular exercise and proper diet have been proven to reduce obesity. So, till the anti-virus for obesity virus is found, it is best to eat healthy and be active.
How this Virus Causes Obesity ?
Cells are the basic building blocks of life. Human body contains billions of cells. There are several types under which these cells are divided. They perform different kinds of activities based on their category. But the structure of every cell is the same with a central section called nucleus. It contains substances called the DNA and the RNA with which the genes are made up of. The nucleus primarily is involved in the division of the cells.
But fat cells have an unique quality. They do no divide generally until there is a serious shortage of these cells in the body. They grow in size instead by accumulating fat molecules within them. The Ad-36 virus induces obesity with the help of a gene, E4orf1. It infects the nucleus of the cells in our body. As a result, the body produces more fat by converting large number of stem cells in to fat cells. The size of these cells increase at a faster rate too as more number of fat molecules get stored inside them. Stem cells are special kind of cells with the unique ability to get converted into any type of cell based on the requirement in the body.
