We are more genetically similar to our dogs than we thought

A study done by Dr Luis Pedro Coelho suggests that the genes of the gut micro biomes in dogs is genetically similar to the gut micro biome in humans. In fact more genetically similar than the micro biomes found in mice and pigs. The results of this study has revealed that dogs are a better model for nutrition studies than mice and pigs. The experiment showed that changes in carbohydrates and proteins has nearly the same effect on humans and dogs. The micro biomes in obese dogs were more receptive to high protein diets than in lean dogs. This same pattern can be seen in humans too. Dogs are becoming more and more obese and this is most likely because humans feed their pets food from the dinner table all the time. They are not getting fat because they can not eat human food, they are getting fat because they are eating more than they should for their size. If dogs were fed human food in a balanced diet they would not become obese because they have very similar gut micro biomes. I find this study very interesting because as a pet owner, I look at my dogs are being apart of my family. I have never been one to feed my dog food from the table because I do not want him begging every time I eat, but I may start feeding him more carbohydrates and proteins that humans would eat. There are also many different diets out there made for dogs using only "human food", the link is attached below to one of these diets.

Article: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/04/180419131136.htm
Additional Information: https://www.whole-dog-journal.com/issues/15_7/features/Home-Prepared-Dog-Food-Nutritional-Information_20568-1.html

Diet Quality, Not Quantity

Researchers at Stanford Prevention Research Center conducted a large scale study to see if reduction in fat and carbohydrates without cutting calories affected weight loss in individuals suffering from obesity. The researchers recruited 600 people from the bay area and split the group into two categories: one group focusing on a low fat diet while another group focused on a low carbohydrate diet. All participants in the study met weekly with dieticians to learn how to manage their new diet and how to prepare healthy home cooked meals. Throughout the study the researchers emphasized for the participants to eat unprocessed foods, that are not high in sugar or have a lot of preservatives. In a year, the average weight loss for participants in the low carbohydrate group was 13 pounds and for the those in the low fat group it was 11.7 pounds.

To go even deeper each individual was DNA tested to see if there was any variants that affected their response to the diet. The scientists found no variants that affected their response and when testing the low carbohydrate diet group they did not find variants for higher secretions of insulin. Besides overall weight loss, an improvement in waist size, blood pressure, body fat percent, and blood sugar was found. The researchers concluded that by focusing on better quality foods the participants unknowingly consumed less calories and felt full more often. With more research, those at the Stanford Prevention Research Center hope that there will be more of an emphasis on what we eat not how much we eat. As a person who struggles with weight I find this article fascinating because those of us who struggle with weight may not have to cut calories and essentially starve ourselves to achieve healthy weight loss.
https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/healthy-eating-plate/
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/02/20/well/eat/counting-calories-weight-loss-diet-dieting-low-carb-low-fat.html

Your best diet might depend on your genetics

A recent study was done with mice to test the effects of different diets on different strains of mice.  Four mice strains were tested to model genetic diversity and each strain shared the same genetics.  This represents the genes of one person.  Any two strains of mice had differences, which relates to humans as people do not have the same exact genes.  The mice were put on different diets but allowed to consume as much as they wanted of their food source.  Their consumption was recorded and observations about health effects were recorded for each mice strain.  Scientists were able to find that different mice strains had different responses to the same diets.  Some saw more negative health effects such as obesity, fatty liver disease and detrimental effects on cholesterol.  Other mice strains had higher resistance to the same diets and saw little to no effects at all.  Some diets were healthier for some mice than others.  I found this interesting because it really depends on your genetics on what type of health effects you would encounter.  Health is not entirely reliant on what you eat, but genetics can play a strong role.  This is a good study as mice are good organisms to use to study humans indirectly.  The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition did a similar study on how different dietary fats can be modeled through mice and other model organisms. 

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/07/160713100857.htm

http://ajcn.nutrition.org/content/67/3/505S.short

 

Brain Genes' Effect on Food Intake

How are our food intake and dietary preferences affected by our brain genes? Silvia Berciano from Universidad Autónoma de Madrid found out the relationship between brain genes and food intake in certain groups of people. The study was done by analyzing 818 men and women of European ancestry. Their genetics were analyzed and a questionnaire was given to obtain information regarding their diet. The researchers studied the genes involved in certain eating disorders and discovered that these genes are relevant to a person's dietary habits and food choices. In addition to that, the researchers mentioned a good example such as the oxytocin receptor gene which affects a person's chocolate intake. Moreover, a person's fiber and vegetable intake are affected by an obesity-associated gene. 

This study helps people understand the factors involved in a person's dietary habits and food choices. A good way to improve the study is by performing the research on people from different ethnicities and backgrounds. Hopefully this study would eventually empower people to shift to a healthier diet.

https://medicalxpress.com/news/2017-04-genetics.html
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16848714