Why Does Overeating Cause So Many Illnesses?

It happens to all of us doesn't it? Sometimes we eat too much, too little, or the wrong things but what we eat and how much may affect us more than we know. Obviously eating too much leads to obesity, but why? A recent study done at the University of Wisconsin showed that excessive eating affects the brain to the point where it can't function properly. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26995427/

The study was performed in mice in quest to find out why obesity causes the body to swell to the point of illness such as diabetes or heart disease. Through experimenting, they found that from feeding these mice excessive calorie and fat filled foods, it caused their brains to send out immune cells to attack intruders that really weren't present. Specifically it was a compound called IKKbeta/NK-kappaB, something the immune system uses if needed. This compound is also located in the hypothalamus (a part of the brain that controls metabolism and energy) but usually remains inactive. However, after the mice were fed this specific high fat diet, abnormal and uncommon active levels of the same compound were found in this part of the brain. Due to the active levels, the body ignored any signals from a hormone called leptin which helps regulate appetite and transform food to energy. All in all, eating too much causes our body to ignore the "I'm full" signals and allows our body to keep taking in food.

After the study was done, they concluded that "hypothalamic IKKb/NF-kB" could be the explanation for all diseases caused by overeating. Although the group who performed the study doesn't know why the compound would be in the brain and immune system, they assume it evolved years ago in primitive animals. All we know now is that its a pathway to "overnutriton." Removing this gene sounds like a good idea but cannot be done as of now.

I found this research to be very interesting considering I always say "I never get full, I could eat everything," and next time I find myself eating more than I should, I'll tell myself its just my brain playing tricks on me.