Some people can gain weight just by “breathing,” while others remain slim no matter how much they eat.
The Difference Between Those Who Easily Gain Weight and Those Who Can Eat a Lot and Stay Slim
The question arises: Is there a difference in the body composition of these two groups? To clarify this, Healthinsider conducted an interview with Dr. Zachary Evans, a researcher in human biology.
The expert not only provided clear answers but also revealed effective solutions to address issues of overweight and underweight.
Dr. Zachary Evans.
In explaining why many people can “eat endlessly without gaining weight,” Dr. Zachary Evans noted that the answer may stem from two reasons:
Reason 1: The group of slim individuals may only consume a small amount of calories throughout the day. For instance, they might eat processed foods for lunch but skip dinner. They could also lead an active lifestyle all day long. Even if they don’t exercise, these individuals tend to be more mobile by walking more, parking further away to increase their movement… However, only a few people manage to do this.
Reason 2: This is something very few people know. Those with a “slim constitution” have effectively activated a type of enzyme called AMPK (5′ AMP-activated protein kinase) in their bodies.
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All of us have AMPK. However, in those who can “eat endlessly without gaining weight,” this enzyme functions more effectively. AMPK is an enzyme that plays a key role in energy balance. All organisms, from yeast to humans, possess this enzyme. AMPK is produced in various tissues, including the liver, brain, fat cells, and muscles… When activated, it stimulates metabolic processes, improves insulin sensitivity, reduces inflammation, and enhances muscle performance. AMPK also may help extend lifespan and promote healthy aging. |
Thanks to AMPK, slim individuals have a faster metabolic rate. This is why they can eat a lot and still remain slender, while others who consume similar amounts may gain weight quickly.
Although the majority of AMPK’s activity depends on external factors like diet and exercise, it is often inherited from parents.
If you want to speed up your metabolism, lose weight, and improve your health, explore ways to “activate” this enzyme.
How Does AMPK Enzyme Contribute to Health?
1. Glucose Production and Burning
Activating AMPK in the hypothalamus promotes glucose production from the liver and glucose uptake into muscles. Glucose is the primary energy supply for the body and is especially essential for normal brain function.
Additionally, AMPK’s role includes inhibiting glucose storage (glycogen synthesis), resulting in more glucose available for energy production. In various cells, AMPK stimulates the breakdown of glucose to generate energy (in the form of ATP).
2. Fat Burning
AMPK inhibits the production of fatty acids, cholesterol, and triglycerides. Instead, it stimulates the breakdown and burning of existing fat for energy.
3. Promoting Cell Recycling (Autophagy)
Autophagy is the process of recycling cellular components. This process helps control the quality of cellular and molecular subunits by degrading damaged proteins. Autophagy also contributes to energy generation for mitochondrial metabolism.
4. Acting as an Antioxidant
AMPK plays a crucial role in enhancing antioxidant capacity. By producing several antioxidant proteins, such as superoxide dismutase, UCP2…
5. Aiding Oxygen Supply
When there is a lack of oxygen at high altitudes or during sleep, activating AMPK can counteract acute respiratory instability. Loss of AMPK has been shown to cause respiratory dysfunction in oxygen-deficient conditions in mice.
6. Important for Reproductive Health
In some animal species, AMPK increases the production of sex hormones. Research conducted by the University of New South Wales (Australia) and the Institut national de la recherche agronomique (France) indicates that AMPK deficiency may lead to decreased fertility in both sexes.
7. Increasing Blood Flow
AMPK plays a vital role in increasing blood flow through vasodilation (expansion of blood vessels) by stimulating nitric oxide release in the bloodstream.
8. Potentially Promoting Healthy Weight
AMPK outside the brain enhances fat-burning processes, which can lead to weight loss. Conversely, activating AMPK in the brain increases appetite.
In mice, when AMPK activity in the brain/hypothalamus is inhibited, the mice eat less and lose weight. When AMPK activity increases, the mice eat more and gain weight. This contributes to promoting a healthy weight.
9. May Extend Lifespan
Numerous animal studies have shown that AMPK plays a crucial role in increasing lifespan, particularly in worms, fruit flies, and mice. In worms, activating AMPK can increase lifespan by up to 15%.
AMPK extends lifespan by reducing protein production and enhancing “autophagic mechanisms”—meaning that cells self-degrade and recycle their components for renewal.
3 Common Ways to Activate AMPK – The Secret to Eating Without Gaining Weight
1. High-Intensity Exercise
This includes running, brisk walking, climbing stairs, jumping rope… However, for beginners, it is safer to train with a coach and start at a lower intensity.
High-intensity exercise can activate AMPK. (Illustrative image).
2. Ice Baths
Ice baths have been shown to activate AMPK in tests with mice. However, no studies have been conducted in humans yet. If you feel comfortable with cold water immersion, consult a doctor and try this method.
3. Following a Caloric Restriction Diet
Caloric restriction is associated with various effects on aging, diabetes, and cancer. Some of these effects are mediated by AMPK. It has been shown that caloric restriction activates AMPK through various mechanisms.
When glucose, insulin, amino acids, and excess saturated fat levels are high, they inhibit AMPK. Therefore, caloric restriction can stimulate adiponectin secretion from fat cells. Adiponectin activates AMPK in various tissues, including skeletal muscle.
Overeating inhibits AMPK, and AMPK activity is reduced in obese individuals.
Adiponectin secretion is significantly reduced in obese individuals, which partially explains the reduced AMPK activity in these people.
To restrict calories and activate AMPK, individuals should practice intermittent fasting. However, this regimen should be personalized by a specialist. This allows you to lose weight healthily and improve metabolism…
