Obesity and functional foods

Question 1

outline how obesity is treated

Answer 1

creating an imbalance (energy EXPENDITURE > energy intake)
dieting and physical activity
pharmacological aids
bariatric surgery

Question 2

what are the main effects of dieting

Answer 2

Reducing energy intake
❖ Reducing fat intake
❖ Increasing protein intake
❖ Reducing energy density
❖ All shown to have a positive effect on weight loss in
research studies

WEIGHT LOSS IS NOT THAT SIMPLE!

Question 3

what are functional foods?

Answer 3

Development of foods that have an effect on weight control
mechanisms
❖ Could/should be a massive industry
❖ Can result in
❖ Inhibition of food intake
❖ Limiting bioavailability of foods
❖ Stimulating energy expenditure
❖ Modifying composition of gut microflora

Question 4

give examples of polyunsaturated fatty acids and outline there role in weight loss

Answer 4

n-6 (vegetable oil) and n-3 (fish oil)
❖ Fatty acid synthase and stearoyl-CoA desaturase-1 involved in
lipid synthesis
❖ Inhibited by PUFAs
❖ Increase lipolysis
❖ Prevent fatty acids entering adipocytes
❖ may Fortify foods?
❖ Beneficial in animal studies but not much in humans

Question 5

what properties do phenolic compounds have?

Answer 5

polyphenals

Anticarcinogenic, antioxidant, antibacterial and antiviral properties

Question 6

where are phenolic compounds found and what is there role in weight loss?

Answer 6

Found in tea, coffee, red wine, kidney beans and prunes
❖ Catechins in tea
❖ Green tea extracts promote thermogenesis in brown adipose tissue
❖ Synergistic with caffeine
❖ Activation of SNS and noradrenaline release
❖ Small positive effect in some studies in humans

Question 7

what are phytoserols

Answer 7

Plant sterols in corn, soybeans, sesame seeds, rapeseed
❖ Block cholesterol absorption
❖ Prevents binding to bile
❖ Perhaps a reduction in triglycerides
❖ Increased fecal lipid excretion?
❖ Effect on body mass due to reduced absorption of fat?

Question 8

what is the role of dietary calcium?

Answer 8

Key role in energy metabolism
❖ Mechanisms
❖ Reduced fat absorption due to calcium binding
❖ Role of calcium in adipocyte function and triglyceride
synthesis
❖ Increased adipocyte apoptosis due to reduced calcitriol levels
❖ Depends on source of calcium
❖ Conflicting data in humans on extent of fat mass

Question 9

dietary fibre

Answer 9

Contains non-digestible carbohydrates
❖ Mechanisms
❖ Prevents intake of additional calories
❖ Increased chewing - effects satiety
❖ Decreased efficiency of intestinal absorption
❖ Increased secretion of GLP-1 (satiety)
❖ Fermentability of fiber important
❖ Some good evidence in human studies but not reproducible

Question 10

capsaicanoids

Answer 10

Molecules unique to chilli peppers
❖ Capsaicin binds to nociceptors = pain!
❖ Capsinoids
❖ Not receptors in mouth but in intestine
❖ Mechanisms
❖ Effect on appetite
❖ Increasing energy expenditure