Low grade inflammation facilitates weight gain and haptoglobin may be the indicator. The role of chronic low grade inflammation (food intolerances, intoxications, toxic metals, neglected infections) in causing weight gain and insulin resistance has been further clarified. The regulation of inflammation will allow for the loss of fat and prevent metabolic diseases.

Italian version

This study which was recently published in the Journal of Endocrinological Investigation (De Pergola G, et al J Endocrinol Invest 2007 May;30(5):399-403) was presented by a group of Italian researchers from the University of Bari's department of Endocrinology

As many other recent articles have already reported (see the related links in the right hand menu), the importance of the relationship between low grade inflammation and weight gain is becoming ever more manifest.

 At Eurosalus we have always worked on the theme of food-induced inflammation and therefore this is nothing new to us. However, the appearance of articles like this should induce many "highbrows" to take back their gratuitous declarations to the effect that food intolerances cannot cause weight gain.

It's evident that if a food causes an inflammatory immune reaction that is of low intensity, but persistent over time, the inflammatory stimulus gives rise to insulin resistance and facilitates fat build up (and a series of insulin related chain reactions).

This article also calls attention to the inflammatory protein known as haptoglobin, which can be measured by way of a simple blood test. This protein appears to be related with the development of insulin resistance in a way that is independent from other factors.

What this means is that soon we'll even be able to quantify the level of inflammation and thus facilitate the approach to this problem in many clinics.

Italian version