908 karma · joined July 18, 2013
"The FA framework for understanding obesity is the notion that highly processed 'hyperpalatable' foods have hijacked the reward centers in the brain thus impairing the decision-making process, similar to drugs of abuse."
"Finally, there is strong evidence of the existence of sugar addiction, both at preclinical and clinical level. Our model has demonstrated that five out of eleven criteria for SUD are met, specifically: use of larger amounts and for longer than intended, craving, hazardous use, tolerance, and withdrawal. From an evolutionary perspective, we must consider addiction as a normal trait that permitted humans to survive primitive conditions when food was scarce. As we evolved culturally, the neural circuits involved in addictive behaviors became dysfunctional and instead of helping us survive they are in fact compromising our health."
Empathy goes a long way. I think as a society we will get to the solution faster with the view that some people might have stronger urges to overeat then you. Congratulations you worked hard. Don't discount what others face.
Because the scientific community hasn't put forth an alternative.
We know that there is lots of redundant networks and plasticity, so if one cell goes down does it matter whether the gap gets filled by and old vs. new cell?
With 100 billion neurons we seem fine with what we have. The bigger question seems to be how to protect these 100 billion cells from degenerating.
Regardless of whether you think the specifics presented in this article (e.g., NSAIDS-esophageal cancer) are right, it’s great to see this kind of philosophical approach to biomedical research. We need more people like this professor.
That she started with a plant and that made her think about humans was a great insight. She rightly recognizes the key role of cell autonomous vs. cell non-autonomous processes in how multicellular organisms work.
That she is a woman and someone not at an Ivy League school is also very refreshing to see getting publicized by Harvard. There are so many great scientists aground the world doing great stuff. Let’s keep finding them and reporting on them!
Please media, more of these types of stories and less clickbait please! I loved this article. My faith in humanity was restored just a touch here.
Information is massively more knowable now and bad behavior isnt hiding very well anymore. I’m putting my money on a-holes not winning like they use to.
Though most would say I’m flourishing in the ivory tower now as a professor at a top tier med school, my training experiences have been terrible. For example, I’d be rich if I had a dollar for every time I heard my former boss say “I don’t care about this {thing that you spent 5+ years on that I didn’t really allow you to work on anything else}”.
The scientific community doesn't systematically favor unsuccessful approaches. Again, if the author was in the field they would know that's not true.
Well that's depressing.