Those who have a number of genes that produce saliva enzymes have a greater chance of suffering from obesity .
Obesity is genetically related to how our body digests carbohydrates , according to a new study from Imperial College London .
Body uses carbohydrates from the food we eat to produce glucose , which is used as fuel . The human body can use the glucose immediately or stored in the liver and muscles for when needed .
In his study , which is published by Nature Genetics , the researchers looked at the relationship between body weight and gene called AMY1 , which produces an enzyme found in saliva called amylase saliva . This enzyme works so we nibble our food . It was one of the first step of the body to digest foods containing starch or flour .
Usually our DNA contains two copies of this gene , but researchers have found that a variety of regions in the DNA that we can bring as many genes AMY1 and numbers are also different for each person . The researchers believe the greater number of AMY1 found in humans is an evolutionary response to changes in diet that contains more starch .
From their research , the scientists found that the gene coding for AMY1 have the greatest influence on body weight . Those who have a number of genes that produce saliva enzymes have a greater chance of suffering from obesity .
" I think this is an important discovery because it shows that the way we digest starch and how the end products of digestion of complex carbohydrates in action in our stomach may be important factors in the risk of obesity , " said Philippe Froguel of Imperial College London , one of the main authors of this study .
" Further research is needed to understand whether the change can improve the digestion of starchy foods a person's ability to lose weight , or prevent a person obese . "
Other researchers , Mario Falchi , also from Imperial College London , said that while they learn how to study physical body digests carbohydrates , early genetic studies focused on identifying obesity-related differences in the genes that act in the brain that control appetite .
He said that the previous studies , combined with the latest research , will allow scientists to find ways to better attack obesity .VOA
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